# Omar Dhuule (Cumar Dhuule Cali)

> Omar Dhuule (1941–2005): Burao-born singer and oud player of the Waaberi troupe, known as the King of Qaaci.

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

## Who was he?

Omar Dhuule Ali was one of the best-known singers of modern Somali music ([Somali Wikipedia, Cumar Dhuule](https://so.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumar_Dhuule)). A history of Somali music by Music in Africa lists him among the leading male singers, with Mohamed Suleiman, Ahmed Naji and [Hassan Adan Samatar](/en/people/hasan-adan-samatar/) ([Music in Africa, "Somali music through the ages"](https://www.musicinafrica.net/fr/node/25169)). He was called Boqorka Qaaciga, the King of Qaaci, for his traditional songs ([Somali Wikipedia](https://so.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumar_Dhuule)).

## Early life

Somali Wikipedia says he was born in early 1941 on the outskirts of [Burao](/en/regions/togdheer/), in the Togdheer region ([Somali Wikipedia](https://so.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumar_Dhuule)). It gives his birth date as 1 January 1941 (same source). Burao is in Somaliland, which declared independence in 1991; Israel recognised it on 26 December 2025, and most states and the African Union regard it as part of Somalia. See [Somaliland, 1991 to 2026](/en/states/somaliland-1991-to-2026/).

## The singer and oud player

He was known for qaaci songs, for playing the kaban, especially the oud, and for composing melodies ([Hiiraan Online, 12 May 2023](https://hiiraan.org/news4/2023/May/191262/waaberi_band_member_khadra_omar_dhule_passes_away_in_mogadishu.aspx)). [Hiiraan Online](/en/economy/somali-media-companies/) also says he wrote stories and arranged plays (same source). Somali Wikipedia adds comedy and acting, and says he was active from 1958 to 2005 ([Somali Wikipedia](https://so.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumar_Dhuule)). It lists his work as patriotic songs, qaraami, qaaci, love songs and religious songs (same source).

He was a member of the national troupe Waaberi from 1970 to 1998, according to Somali Wikipedia ([Somali Wikipedia](https://so.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumar_Dhuule)). See [Somali music](/en/society/somali-music/).

## Exile and death

When the civil war began, he was among those who left the country ([Somali Wikipedia](https://so.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumar_Dhuule)). He lived for a time in Syria and then in Geneva, Switzerland (same source). Somali Wikipedia gives his death as 19 May 2005 and his burial place as Djibouti city (same source).

## Family

His daughter Khadra Omar Dhule was also a singer and a member of the Waaberi National Band ([Hiiraan Online, 12 May 2023](https://hiiraan.org/news4/2023/May/191262/waaberi_band_member_khadra_omar_dhule_passes_away_in_mogadishu.aspx)). She became known as a solo singer in 2005 and died in Mogadishu in May 2023 (same source). Hiiraan Online calls Omar Dhule Ali "a legendary figure in Somali music" (same source).

## In short

A Burao-born singer and oud player, a Waaberi member from 1970 to 1998, who died in exile in 2005.

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