Ahmed Mohamed Yusuf (Somali: Axmed Muxumed Yuusuf), most commonly known as Ahmed Gacayte (Axmed Gacayte), was a famous Somali singer, songwriter and composer.[1][2][3] He hails from the Habr Yunis subdivision of Garhajis

Ahmed Gacayte
Axmed Gacayte
Birth nameAhmed Mohamed Yusuf
Born1948 (1948)
Hargeisa, British Somaliland
Died1988 (aged 39–40)
Hargeisa, Somalia
GenresSomali music
Occupation(s)Musician, artist
InstrumentsSinging
Years active1965–1988
Formerly of

History

edit

Ahmed Gacayte was born in 1948 in a neighbourhood called Xidigta near the riverbed of Hargeisa, Somaliland. He was the oldest of 10 sons and 3 daughters. He took the nickname of his father, Mohamed Yusuf "Gacayte".

In 1964, reporters from Radio Hargeysa came to his school to scout for potential singing talent and eventually recruited Gacayte.

In 1965, Gacayte recorded his first song "Ahlan wa sahlan Daahir", which was broadcast on Radio Hargeysa. In response, his father disowned him and kicked him out of his home.[4]

Gacayte then started composing and writing more songs and plays like "Bood Xirsi" and "Siyar" with Amina Abdullahi,[5][6] as well as composing songs for Khadra Dahir Cige.[1] He soon became famous throughout the Somali world, especially throughout present day Somaliland.

Personal life

edit

Gacayte was never married and eventually died in 1988 in Hargeisa at the age of 40, at the height of the Isaaq genocide.[7]

Discography

edit
  • Inaan Weli Ku Jecelahay[8]
  • Ilaah Baa Deeq Baxshee
  • Umaleey Jacayl
  • Orod orod
  • Sabaalo
  • Dulmiga
  • Siyar (with Amina Abdullahi)
  • Bood Xirsi (with Amina Abdullahi)
  • Ahlan wa sahlan Daahir

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Woolner, Christina J. (2023-11-24). Love Songs in Motion: Voicing Intimacy in Somaliland. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0-226-82738-4.
  2. ^ Diiriye, Anwar Maxamed (2006). Literature of Somali Onomastics & Proverbs with Comparison of Foreign Sayings. Gobaad Communications & Press. ISBN 978-0-9726615-1-5.
  3. ^ Ahmedyasin, Ismail (2019-10-19). "Taariikhda Axmed Gacayte (WQ: Cumar seerbiya)". Bandhige- Wararka Somaliland iyo faallooyinkooda. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  4. ^ "Taariikhdii Axmed Gacayte Yuusuf | Somalisan.com". Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  5. ^ admin (2016-04-25). "Sahra-yartii Miyiga : Waxa Qoray Cumar Seerbiya". Sagal News. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  6. ^ "Aamina Cabdilaahi Xirsi: Fankii Jabuuti , Hargeysa Iyo Muqdisho U Kala Dabqaaday – Qalinka: Cumar Seerbiya | Somalidiasporanews.com". Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  7. ^ "Somalilandhorta". Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  8. ^ Woolner, Christina J. (2023-11-24). Love Songs in Motion: Voicing Intimacy in Somaliland. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0-226-82738-4.