Local author bringing Somali tradition into classrooms with new songbook

CATHY WURZER: What do you remember from music class? Remember that when you were a kid? Did you learn the xylophone, maybe the recorder, singing folk songs in unison with your classmates, maybe a holiday concert or two?

Well, there is a new book by two Minnesota educators that could become part of these traditions. It's called The Rhythm of Somalia, a collection of songs, stories, and traditions. Qorsho Hassan is an educator, researcher, community organizer, and Minnesota's 2020 Teacher of the Year. She co-wrote the book alongside fellow educator Becca Buck.

Qorsho's on the line with us. Welcome back to the program. How have you been, Qorsho?

QORSHO HASSAN: I've been good, Cathy. Thanks for having me back.

CATHY WURZER: Absolutely. So, oh my gosh. I can only imagine. I bet you had just an endless number of folk songs to choose from. How in the world did you begin to decide what music to include?

QORSHO HASSAN: Oh, it was really challenging. Not only did we have a lot to choose from, we had a lot of students volunteering and wanting to be a part of this project. So it took a very long time to dwindle it down to just a few songs and games, but I think what we have is a good core of songs that really showcase the culture and provide an in-depth understanding of what it is to be Somali.

CATHY WURZER: So I understand this includes phonetic pronunciations and some information, historical cultural contexts behind the music, is that right?

QORSHO HASSAN: Yes. We really wanted it to be an inclusive book that dabbles a bit about the Somali culture and history, the diaspora both in Minnesota and in Ohio, and around the world, but also really dig into what is Somali music. Because there are some misconceptions, especially in school settings where some teachers have a misunderstanding about whether or not Somali students can participate in music making. And so really defining what music is in the context of the Somali culture and understanding the ways in which to bring it to your students, whether they're Somali or not.

CATHY WURZER: Could you please expand on that for listeners who may be a little bit confused? There are misconceptions about Somali students not being able to participate in making music? Is that because of religious reasons, or is that just a stereotype? Is that what you're saying?

QORSHO HASSAN: Probably a bit of both. I think the issue that I've seen is just the lack of understanding of nuances that exist. So certain families might abstain from listening to all types of music. There could be a misunderstanding on the Somali parents' part of what music is versus what they might assume, whether it's pop culture, hip hop culture, and how that might not fit into cultural values and religious beliefs. And then I also just believe that there's just a lack of understanding.

And so I think this book really sets aside an opportunity to learn these songs and games, but really also the stories of our people and to understand what music means to us. It's all encompassing. It's storytelling. It's chanting. It's different ways of learning Arabic, another language that Somalis speak.

So I think it's a really multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral approach about what it looks like to teach cultural heritage and for me to really teach my own history, and culture, and traditions to others. Because I think if our Somali students can really see themselves in their learning, I think it will strengthen, preserve their connection to their culture.

CATHY WURZER: I would love to play a little bit of music. Can we do that?

QORSHO HASSAN: Please.

CATHY WURZER: I want to listen to a song from the book. Let's play it.

QORSHO HASSAN: Yes.

[CHANTING IN SOMALI]

CATHY WURZER: Hmm. This sounds like a game. Can you describe it for us?

QORSHO HASSAN: Yeah. Kuu Kuun Lamina is a very popular elimination game. And we discovered that there were three main variants. And so our students actually were able to share those three variants with us. And what you just heard was a mother and a daughter duo singing the song or the game and then just walking us through what it's like to be eliminated. Basically, you just tap one's foot either with a stick or your hand. And then the last person standing either is the winner or the loser, depending on the game.

CATHY WURZER: Ah. OK, thank you so much. There's another song that we want to listen to from this collection. Let's play that right now.

[GIRL SINGING IN SOMALI]

Oh, that's beautiful. Tell us about the song.

QORSHO HASSAN: Yeah. That is [SOMALI]. That's sung by Soraya. And she shared this song with us and shared that her mom used to sing it to her as a lullaby. And then through just some research, I actually found that it took a chorus from a very popular song in the '80s in Somalia. And so it's just really beautiful how all of these threads are coming into place. But yeah, she sang that song to us and just blew us away. So we knew that it had to be a part of the project.

CATHY WURZER: I love the fact how this is obviously personal to you. I mean, I'm listening to your voice, and you just have this powerful, palpable sense of just excitement and joy.

QORSHO HASSAN: Yeah.

CATHY WURZER: Did you experience that as you put this together?

QORSHO HASSAN: I did. I did. I mean, I feel like it soothed my inner child, to be quite honest. I felt like there was just a general sense of belonging. Every student who came to us and sang songs or demonstrated games, whether it was in a classroom setting or during our office hours, just felt this immense pride of like, this is who I am. This is my culture. And I just thought that was really beautiful.

And I think the main aim of this book is to really understand how to bring that to every classroom. This isn't just a book for music ed teachers. This is a book for classroom teachers. It's a book for admin. It's for anyone who serves Somali students and can really understand the importance of how heritage education can help us develop a better understanding and respect for our environment, for our community.

CATHY WURZER: You sent us one more song to listen to. Let's play it.

QORSHO HASSAN: Yeah, it's my favorite.

[CHILD SINGING IN SOMALI]

CATHY WURZER: Qorsho, what is the-- I hear something in the background. It almost sounds like--

QORSHO HASSAN: It's a xylophone.

CATHY WURZER: --the plucking of a string-- oh, it's a xylophone, OK.

QORSHO HASSAN: It is, it is, which is really beautiful and just another way to really incorporate this into a music classroom. What you just heard was [SOMALI]. It's a Somali lullaby. It's by far probably the most popular song that we got from students. And all of our songs and games had a certain theme, but this song has a very strong theme of family and tradition.

And so very common for young kids to hear it when they're babies or toddlers as a way for their mom or their caregiver to soothe them. And it was really beautiful because each student who shared the syllabi with us shared a different version of it. So either their parents added their attributes or included their name, or personalized it some way. And that was really beautiful to witness.

CATHY WURZER: Now, what's the reaction that you've had so far to the book?

QORSHO HASSAN: Really positive and I think understanding of how important this resource is and how necessary it is for schools to have, and from our community just an outpouring of love. We have a book launch happening in a few weeks on December 9 at Gideon Pond Elementary, where we actually collected all of the songs and games. And it's just going to be a beautiful celebration with our student contributors, and our artists, and our families who gave their time, and energy, and wisdom to the project.

CATHY WURZER: Wow. Well done. Well done, Qorsho. Thank you so much.

QORSHO HASSAN: Thanks for having me.

CATHY WURZER: Qorsho Hassan is the co-author of The Rhythm of Somalia, a collection of songs, stories, and traditions.