Musicians, actors and artists
Luul Jeylaani (Lul Jeylani Ali)
Lul Jeylani Ali, known as Luul Jeylaani or "Maama Luul" (1950 to 30 December 2024), was a Somali singer and actress. A member of the Waaberi national choir, she rose to fame in the 1970s and 1980s according to Wikipedia, moved to the United States in the early 1990s, returned to Somalia in 2018, and died in Minneapolis aged 74.
Luul JeylaaniLuul Jeylaani Cali · Maama Luul
- Lived
- 1950 to 2024-12-30
- Known as one of
- Musicians, actors and artists
- Places
- Muqdisho and Banaadir
- Era
- The Republic, 1960 to 1991; Rebuilding without a state, 1991 to 2012; Who holds power, 2012 to now
- Sources
- 2 sources
Who was she?
Lul Jeylani Ali, known as Luul Jeylaani and nicknamed "Maama Luul", was a Somali singer born in 1950 (Wikipedia, Lul Jeylani Ali). Somali Wikipedia describes her as a well-known Somali singer and actress (Wikipedia (Somali), Luul Jeylaani).
Career
She was a member of Hobolladii Qaranka ee Waaberi, the national Waaberi choir, and became famous in the 1970s and 1980s (Wikipedia). She performed with Aweys Qamiis, Ahmed Najiib Saad, Ahmed Sharif, Ahmeday Abukar, Ahmed Falash and others, and also acted in dramas (same source). Her songs include "Ebadkaa Ogow", "Riixaanta Janad" and "Berkaad Iiga Taalla" (same source).
Later life
She moved to the United States in the early 1990s and returned to Somalia in 2018 (Wikipedia). In April 2021 false reports of her death spread online; she denied them in an interview with Radio Mogadishu (Wikipedia (Somali)). She died after a long illness in Minneapolis on 30 December 2024, aged 74 (Wikipedia).
In short
A Waaberi singer of the golden era, remembered as "Maama Luul".
Sources
- Wikipedia, Lul Jeylani Ali · en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia (Somali), Luul Jeylaani · so.wikipedia.org
Luul JeylaaniLuul Jeylaani Cali · Maama Luul
- Lived
- 1950 to 2024-12-30
- Known as one of
- Musicians, actors and artists
- Places
- Muqdisho and Banaadir
- Era
- The Republic, 1960 to 1991; Rebuilding without a state, 1991 to 2012; Who holds power, 2012 to now
- Sources
- 2 sources
Toosoo!
Calankii is made by Toosoo, which works for one united, prosperous Somalia.
Can you help with Luul Jeylaani (Lul Jeylani Ali)? Tell us what you can give.
I want to help with this
Where this matters
Same era
- Australia18,401 people of Somali ancestry and 8,101 born in Somalia lived in Australia at the 2021 Census, more than half in Victoria. History, work, issues.
- Birmingham (Somali diaspora)About 17,000 to 21,600 Somalis live in Birmingham (Census 2021), mostly in Nechells, Newtown, Small Heath and Alum Rock. History, work, health and ties home.
- Bristol (Somali diaspora)9,167 people in Bristol identified as Somali or Somalilander in Census 2021, the city's largest minority group. Where they live, work, housing, leaders and ties home.
- Calgary, Alberta, Canada2,845 people of Somali origin lived in Calgary at the 2021 Census, plus 890 in Brooks. How they came, who serves them and what they face.
- Denmark (Somali diaspora)21,885 people of Somali origin lived in Denmark in 2026, half born there. Numbers, history, work, permit reviews, and ties home.
- DjiboutiAbout 13,900 refugees from Somalia live in Djibouti (Aug 2026): numbers since 1990, Ali Addeh, Holl-Holl, the 2017 refugee law, Arta 2000 and 2025 returns.
Keep reading
- Hasan Adan Samatar (Xasan Aadan Samatar)Hasan Adan Samatar, born 1953 in Diinsoor: Waaberi singer, guitarist and actor with over 200 songs, in standard Somali and Maay.
- Saado Ali Warsame (Saado Cali Warsame)Saado Ali Warsame (1950–2014): Somali singer-songwriter of justice and unity, Minneapolis resident, and member of the Federal Parliament from 2012.
- K'naan (Keynaan Cabdi Warsame)K'naan, born 1978 in Mogadishu: Somali-Canadian rapper behind 'Wavin' Flag', Juno winner and 2024 Grammy winner.
- Abdi Sinimo (Cabdi Sinimo)Abdi Sinimo (c. 1920–1967): creator of the balwo song, the starting point of modern Somali music, Borama 1944.
- Abdullahi Qarshe (Cabdullaahi Qarshe)Abdullahi Qarshe (1924–1994): oud pioneer of the heello and composer credited with Somalia's anthem Qolobaa Calankeed.
- Maryam Mursal (Maryan Mursal)Maryam Mursal (born 1950): Somali jazz singer from Mogadishu who rebuilt her career in exile with Real World Records.