Somali Museum of Minnesota

Somali Museum of Minnesota The home of Somali culture and traditional arts in Minnesota. Hours:
Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun - 11:00-5:00 PM

Phone: (612) 886-3723
(1)

The Somali Artifact and Cultural Museum is the home of traditional Somali arts and folklore in Minnesota. Somali nomadic traditional arts are endangered due to upheaval, migration, and the increasing urbanization of Somali society, but the Somali Museum’s collection of over 700 artifacts offers hope that the tradition will continue. As the only center dedicated to preserving and promoting Somali a

rts and folklore anywhere in the world, the Somali Museum is committed to providing high-quality educational programs and building community through folklore education. In addition, the Somali Museum fosters connections between community organizations, advocates, and artists, and provides resources to traditional artists, folklorists, and craftspeople in the Somali diaspora. The Somali Museum operates two central branches of arts education programming: artifact exhibits and arts learning. Through these two branches, the Somali Museum intends to foster the next generations of people appreciating and practicing Somali folk art forms. The Somali Artifact and Cultural Museum targets youth in the Somali community who have grown up without a connection to traditional arts, and non-Somali Minnesotans encountering Somali arts for the first time. The Museum’s programs are based on building bridges between these community members and those who carry the quickly-disappearing knowledge of traditional arts.

09/05/2026

Anniversary Moment #1: A Legend Takes the Stage 👑

Moment #1 goes to the incomparable Khadija Daleys. Often called “the mother of Somali music,” her powerful voice and presence left an indelible mark on our culture, inspiring generations.

In 2017, the Somali Museum presented her with our Living Legend Award. When Osman, who bestowed the honor, introduced her as the oldest living female singer, Khadija who believed her spirit and talent were ageless jokingly stopped him mid-sentence. She took the mic and commanded the stage with a speech that became one of the most talked-about moments in our history. Sadly, Khadija passed away just months later, but she left us knowing how deeply she was cherished. We are honored that we were able to recognize her six decades of artistry, marking the first time she received such an award in North America.

13th Anniversary Celebration

Saturday, October 31, 2026
Hopkins Center for the Arts
1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN 55343

Doors Open: 5:00 pm
Program: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Mark your calendar! We can’t wait to create more special, memorable performances with you!

08/30/2026

Anniversary Moment 2: A Symphony of Unity 🇸🇴🇺🇸

“Soomaaliyeey Toosoo” written in 1947 and adopted as Somalia’s national anthem in 2000 until 2012 is a profound symbol of our nation’s spirit. At our 3rd Anniversary celebration in 2016, we honored this legacy by opening the show with both the American and Somali national anthems. While the late, great Ahmed Ali Egal was set to lead the performance, our artistic director envisioned something even grander: a powerful choral arrangement. He invited the Minnesota Chorale to bless the stage, and in a breathtaking last-minute addition, a young Hodan Abdirahman stepped in to complete the piece. The result was a soaring, unforgettable tribute that remains one of our most iconic moments of the Somali Museum’s anniversary celebrations.

13th Anniversary Celebration

Saturday, October 31, 2026
Hopkins Center for the Arts
1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN 55343

Doors Open: 5:00 pm
Program: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Mark your 📆 we can’t wait to create more special, memorable performances with you!

08/28/2026

Anniversary Moment — #3: The New Faces of Riwaayad

Riwaayad is a beloved oral storytelling tradition deeply embedded in Somali culture. For our 11th Anniversary production, Riyo iyo Rajo (Dreams and Hope), written by Mohamoud Osman Mohamed, we decided to shake things up. Instead of our traditional casting process, we held our first-ever open auditions to invite fresh talent to the stage.

The result was a vibrant, youthful cast that brought an incredible new energy to the theater! Among them was our breakout star, Aisha Jamal, who played the character “Asha Waal” (Crazy Aisha) with such comedic brilliance that she absolutely stole the show. It was a beautiful reminder that our community is overflowing with talent just waiting for a platform to shine.

13th Anniversary Celebration

📅 Saturday, October 31, 2026
📍 Hopkins Center for the Arts
1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN 55343

🕔 Doors Open: 5:00 pm

08/27/2026

Anniversary Moment — #4: Voices on the Runway

Every year, our kids’ fashion show is a highlight, but in 2020, we decided to elevate the experience by adding something new: a skit following their runway walk. In 2021, our young models stepped out of the spotlight and into character, delivering moving messages about critical issues facing Somalis. It was a bold, creative shift that turned a fashion show into a platform for youth advocacy and storytelling. Seeing our youngest generation use their voices to spark conversation was truly inspiring!

08/23/2026

Anniversary Moment — #5: Raising the Bar

The Somali Museum Dance Troupe is one of our most popular programs, consistently in high demand across the Twin Cities and beyond. But the 2023 era of dancers was something truly extraordinary. They arrived with a mission to set the standard higher than ever before.

Orchestrated by their coach, this performance was a masterclass in dedication. The dancers pushed every limit, testing their own abilities with daring stunts and never-before-seen movements in our dance program. It was an iconic display of athleticism and artistry that left the audience breathless and rightfully earns its place in our top 5 most memorable moments!

08/23/2026

Anniversary Moment - #6: Bringing the Drama Back

Back in the day, theater was the heartbeat of Somali culture, and the Somali Museum was determined to bring that magic back to the stage. We gathered a powerhouse cast of both rising stars and legendary icons, giving them a platform to remind us all why we fell in love with live performance in the first place.

This production was nothing short of epic, featuring the stage debut of the incredible Naimo Jookar, and a brilliant script written and directed by a 20-something Mohamed Paractimool. They were joined by legends like the iconic actress and poet Safiyo Tusmo, the electrifying Dalmar Yare, the soulful Ahmed Rasta, and our very own Outreach Director, Sarah Larsson, rounding out a cast that made history. The play at our 4th anniversary celebration had many memorable moments. It did not just entertain; it revived Somali theater, putting Somali theater back on the map, proving that the art form is more alive than ever.

08/20/2026

Anniversary Moment - #7: The Ilkacase Qays Phenomenon

lIkacase Qays brought an energy we’d never seen before at our 8th Anniversary Celebration. Dressed in tactical gear that mirrored the themes of bravery, strength, and resilience in his music, he turned the auditorium into a movement. When the crowd’s excitement reached a fever pitch, they couldn’t help but rush the stage, and Ilkacase met that energy head-on, stepping right into the crowd to perform alongside them. The audience was so electrified that they remained on their feet, dancing and cheering for the rest of the night. While we always prioritize safety and decorum at Somali Museum events, that night was a rare, beautiful exception where the passion simply overflowed. Everyone left safe, inspired, and buzzing from an unforgettable experience!
Who will bring down the house at this year’s 13th Anniversary Celebration? Which artist would you love to see take the stage this October?

08/15/2026

Anniversary Moment — #8: “It’s Not Easy Being Hawa Haji”

Hawa Haji took the stage at our 2022 anniversary celebration and delivered a stand-up rap that commanded the full attention of 1,500 inside Bethel University’s auditorium. Already known for her content creation, comedy chops, and for acting that same night in Osman Ali’s play “Dan Yeey u Tahay”, she views laughter and art as therapy and a powerful way to connect the community. This moment showcased her authentic spirit and left the crowd buzzing.

13th Anniversary Celebration

📅 October 31, 2026
🕔 Doors open at 5:00 pm
📍 Hopkins Center for the Arts

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

08/13/2026

We had such a wonderful night at the Somali Museum! Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate the launch of Ifrah F. Ahmed ‘s cookbook, Soomaaliya. It was a beautiful evening filled with delicious food, inspiring stories, dance, and great community connection.

If you want to keep the culinary journey going, join Ifrah for her monthly online Somali culinary workshop! It’s the perfect place to learn the ins and outs of Somali cooking with a rotating menu. You can watch here: https://youtube.com/ si=4n3QvJRN4mBfxll7

Address

2925 Chicago Avenue, Greenway Basement
Minneapolis, MN
55407

Opening Hours

Thursday 11am - 5pm
Friday 11am - 5pm
Saturday 11am - 5pm
Sunday 11am - 5pm

Telephone

+16128863723

Website

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