# Abdulle Raage Taraawiil

> Abdulle Raage Taraawiil (1932-2000): Radio Mogadishu poet and actor from Eeldheer, jailed in 1982.

Source page: https://calankii.com/en/people/abdulle-raage-taraawiil/
Last checked: 2026-11-12
Publisher: Calankii (https://calankii.com)

## Who was he?

Abdulle Raage Taraawiil was a Somali poet, born in Eeldheer district in 1932 ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdulle_Raage_Tarawiil)). He died in Mogadishu in April 2000 (same source).

## Radio and stage

He joined [Radio Mogadishu](/en/society/radio-mogadishu/) in 1960 with a collection of guuroow poems on national politics ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdulle_Raage_Tarawiil)). He also acted, and in the 1960s play Shabeel Naagood he recited verses mocking the government's policy of non-alignment: "Why stand in the middle: may the ground swallow you!" (same source).

## Prison and later poems

In 1982 he was accused of anti-government activity and held for four years ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdulle_Raage_Tarawiil)). In the late 1980s he wrote a poem warning that respect and trust were being lost and that innocent people would suffer as fighting spread (same source). See [Somali poetry](/en/society/somali-poetry/).

## In short

A radio poet and actor whose verses challenged governments and foresaw the war.

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