Somali London

The Somali community made their presence known in the capital as early as the 19th century. The name "Somali" comes from a word meaning "milk the animal" and relates to the peoples’ nomadic farming tradition.
Somalis first came to London during World War I. They are the only people of Arab-African ethnicity

Today, it is estimated, there are around 70,000 Somalis living in the capital, with the largest group of some 10,000 people, in Tower Hamlets. Whilst a lot of Somalis came to London as asylum seekers, fleeing civil unrest in their country, many are second, third and even fourth generation Somalis.

There are records of Somalis in London dating back to 1914, when they were recruited to fight in the First World War and then settled in the capital.  This first group was followed by a continuous trickle, many of whom came over as merchant seamen.

They tended to settle in cities with ports, including Cardiff, Liverpool and London, where they put down roots in Tower Hamlets. Accounts of the time show that many of these seamen only planned to stay in London long enough to make some money before returning to their families.

Rageh Omaar, well known Somali journalist

In Somalia, they were nicknamed "The Fortune Men" because they promised to bring wealth back home. As they had always intended to go back to Africa, many of the first Somalis in London didn’t learn English, and they have been slower to establish a formal community here than many other ethnic groups.

Somalia is a clan-based nation, and communities of Somalis were founded centuries ago in all eight of the countries that make up the Horn Of Africa. They are the only people of Arab-African ethnicity, dating back to the time when the Arab slave trade swept through the eastern seaboard.

The name "Somali" comes from a word meaning "milk the animal" and it relates to the peoples’ nomadic farming tradition. It is said that when Somali people were first asked to identify their nationality, they had no common name, and so they chose the word, "Soma", which described the activity they most had in common!

Iman - the famous Somalian model

Somalia itself is a relatively young country, formed in 1960, from a former British Protectorate and an Italian Colony. Many southern Somalis actually speak Italian, and spaghetti is one of the national dishes. Recently, the country has been ravaged by civil war (since 1991), and by intermittent border disputes until 1993.

Aid work in Somalia

One million citizens died in the subsequent famine which brought the nation to the brink of anarchy.  Nevertheless, the Somalians are said to be one of the most unified African people, sharing a common language, heritage and faith (Islam).
Because of the hardships of life in Somalia, the average life expectancy is just 45 years for men and 48 years for women and some of those who are able have chosen to migrate to the UK.

Abdi Bhadon, Somali actor and poet

Somalis in London have managed to retain much of their cultural heritage and traditions, and their communities here are very much based on the family. As time goes on, however, Somalis are making an impact on London’s industrial, professional and commercial life. 

Adam Dirir - Writer and Entrepreneur

They are also rising in the creative industry and contributing to law and politics.  Up and coming Somali writers such as Zahrah Awaleh and Shafi Sayed are making their mark in the British literary world and Abdi Bhadon is also making his way up in the television and entertainment industry.

In the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Councillor Ahmed Omer became Deputy Mayor in 2008 and leading figure Adam Dirir is heading the way in radio, journalism and social entrepreneurship in the Somali community.  Famous Somalis include the BBC’s Africa Correspondent, Rageh Omaar, and the supermodels Iman and Warris.

A bustling collection of businesses and services catering to the Somali community has grown up in a corner of south London

Streatham has been known for years as the birthplace of
Naomi Campbell and the location of the reputed longest
high road in Europe. There are Somali communities in Camden and other parts of London, but Gleneagle Road, off Styreatham High Road, is successfully staking out its claim as the most important hub for Somali-influenced
culture.

With a varied and interesting business mix that includes a
tiny antiques store, a bookshop and a newsagent, all nestling between a series of cafés, restaurants and minishopfronts, this is a small corner of south London that’s definitely growing in enterprising spirit.

Al Towfiq Café and Restaurant (2 Gleneagle Rd, 020 8696 9885) is a culinary enclave next door to Sido Doya Men’s Barbers, and a
bustling butcher selling halal meat is just a stone’s throw away. The tiny olive greenpainted Nura Café (1g Gleneagle Rd, 020 8677 9075) is actually a food store selling a few necessary groceries, but mainly sweets and the like.

On the opposite corner is the larger, pale bluefronted Shabelle Coffee House (20 Gleneagle Rd), where the predominantly male clientele gathers for tea, roasted coffee and animated conversation. Further along, the Somali Town Restaurant serves all-day breakfasts, as well as east African dishes. Still on Gleneagle Road, the neighbourhood’s community essence is strengthened by the existence of SEED (Somali Employment and Education Development, 020 8677 7979), the small Sports Farm community café and the Dahab Shiil Call Centre (020 8677 4007) where local and longdistance calls can be put in
(when a mobile just won’t do).

Go towards Streatham Hill station and off the High Road and you’ll find the tiny Somali Advice Centre (25a Shrubbery Rd, 020 8696 7510), next to the now-defunct Nkrumah Music Store, which keeps its door ajar during office hours for dealing with any urgent neighbourhood issues.

Nana Ocran