Musicians, actors and artists
Omar Dhuule (Cumar Dhuule Cali)
Omar Dhuule Ali (Cumar Dhuule Cali, 1941–2005) was a Somali singer, oud player, composer and actor from Burao, called the King of Qaaci for his traditional songs. He sang with the national Waaberi troupe from 1970 to 1998, left Somalia during the civil war, and lived in Syria and then Geneva. Somali Wikipedia gives his death as 19 May 2005 and his burial in Djibouti.
Omar DhuuleCumar Dhuule · Cumar Dhuule Cali
- Lived
- 1941 to 2005
- Known as one of
- Musicians, actors and artists
- Era
- The Republic, 1960 to 1991; 1991-2026
- Sources
- 3 sources
Who was he?
Omar Dhuule Ali was one of the best-known singers of modern Somali music (Somali Wikipedia, 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 (Music in Africa, "Somali music through the ages"). He was called Boqorka Qaaciga, the King of Qaaci, for his traditional songs (Somali Wikipedia).
Early life
Somali Wikipedia says he was born in early 1941 on the outskirts of Burao, in the Togdheer region (Somali Wikipedia). 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.
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). Hiiraan Online 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). 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). See Somali music.
Exile and death
When the civil war began, he was among those who left the country (Somali Wikipedia). 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). 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.
Sources
- Somali Wikipedia, Cumar Dhuule · so.wikipedia.org
- Music in Africa, "Somali music through the ages" · musicinafrica.net
- Hiiraan Online, 12 May 2023 · hiiraan.org
Omar DhuuleCumar Dhuule · Cumar Dhuule Cali
- Lived
- 1941 to 2005
- Known as one of
- Musicians, actors and artists
- Era
- The Republic, 1960 to 1991; 1991-2026
- Sources
- 3 sources
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Where this matters
Same era
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- 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.
- 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.
- Ethiopia (Somali refugees and the Somali Region)About 368,000 refugees from Somalia live in Ethiopia (Oct 2026): numbers since 1988, Dollo Ado, Jijiga, Addis Ababa's Bole Michael, the law and aid cuts.
- Finland (Somali diaspora)28,167 Somali speakers lived in Finland at the end of 2025, more than half in Helsinki. Numbers, history, work, leaders and ties home.
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