The freedom movement, 1895 to 1960

Halima Godane (Xaliimo Godane)

Halima Mohamed Yusuf, known as Halima Godane (1935 to 1994), was a Somali poet and political activist. Born in Kismayo, she joined the Somali Youth League in Mogadishu in the late 1940s, sat on its women's committee, recited buraanbur poetry at party gatherings, and on 12 October 1954 first recited her best-known poem, an ode to the Somali flag. She was elected to Mogadishu's city council in 1958.

Last checked 2026-11-12 1 source Reading time: 1 min

Halima GodaneHalima Mohamed Yusuf · Xaliimo Godane

Lived
1935 to 1994
Era
Toward independence, 1920 to 1960; The Republic, 1960 to 1991; Rebuilding without a state, 1991 to 2012
Sources
1 sources

Who was she?

Halima Mohamed Yusuf, better known as Halima Godane ("the stooped one"), was a Somali poet and activist who lived from 1935 to 1994 (Wikipedia, Halima Godane). She was born in Kismayo and married at the age of nine (same source).

The independence movement

She moved to Mogadishu in the late 1940s and joined the Somali Youth League (Wikipedia). In the early 1950s she was elected to the party's women's committee (same source). She recited buraanbur poetry on national occasions and at party meetings (same source). On 12 October 1954 she first recited her best-known work, an ode to the flag of Somalia (same source).

Later politics

In 1958 she supported Haaji Mahammad Husseen in forming the Greater Somalia League, and that year she was elected to Mogadishu's city council (Wikipedia). In 1967 she joined the Workers' Socialist Party (same source). In 1974 the government of Siad Barre gave her an award and a lifetime pension (same source). She held to socialist views and to the goal of a united Somalia until her death (same source).

In short

A Kismayo-born poet of the independence movement, remembered for her 1954 ode to the Somali flag.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, Halima Godane · en.wikipedia.org

Halima GodaneHalima Mohamed Yusuf · Xaliimo Godane

Lived
1935 to 1994
Era
Toward independence, 1920 to 1960; The Republic, 1960 to 1991; Rebuilding without a state, 1991 to 2012
Sources
1 sources

Toosoo!

Calankii is made by Toosoo, which works for one united, prosperous Somalia.

Can you help with Halima Godane (Xaliimo Godane)? Tell us what you can give.

I want to help with this
What you can give

Only the core team sees your answer. We never share or publish it. Privacy · or email hello@calankii.com.

All the ways to help

Where this matters

Same era

Keep reading