Abdillahi Qarshe was the father of Somali Music. He was a great poet and musician. He was the first Somali to introduce instrumental accompaniment, the Lute in particular, to urban and radio audiences.

 

Somaliland music as opposed to clan music, based on folklore traditions consists of a combination between the tender melodies of the nomads, the explosive hot drumbeats of black Africa and just a little colorful instrumental accompaniment. This music as transmitted by radio and tapes and performed at innumerable afternoon and night parties and weddings, is comparatively young.

It is an urban sound. This urban population created a distinctly characteristic musical style, as yet untouched by the vampire grip of the international music business (lately music abroad is penetrating deeply into the country). An early ancestor of the music is the traditional folklore music of Somaliland called "Hees" which includes "Dhaanto", "Jiifto", and others. This traditional folklore music is performed during weddings and special occasions. The singers both women and men sing original pieces on the spot, on a 'call' and 'response' fashion. Another ancestor of the music is called "Baar Cadeh'. This is similar to "Saar", a religious social cultural dance and song, performed by someone in trance or is possessed by evil spirits or "Jin" as is known by the locals. The singer usually is a male who dances with a sword in his right hand in front of a circle of women clapping their hands. Yet another ancestor of this music is the 'sufi' influenced singing. The singers poetically describe their love for God and the prophet, accompanied only by some rhythmic clapping and drums. You can still hear this fascinating kind of ritualized Sufi music on Friday nights in almost all cities and towns in Somaliland. For instance the powerful drums and its complex rhythms and choruses can be heard in Hargeisa from a far away distances at night. "Abdi Qays", a Somali poet, composer, singer and musician popularized the Sufi music through the recordings of his well-known song called "Saints help us" or in Somali "Awliyo Allaay Adeeg" in the 1970's.