For some Ohioans, there will be two Independence Days this week—Somalia Independence Day on July 1, and the U.S. Independence Day celebration on July Fourth.
Somalia Independence Day takes place on July 1 every year. Ohio is home to the second-largest Somali community in the U.S., according to the Somali Community Association of Ohio. This community will celebrate Somalia’s Independence from British and Italian rule, or “Soomaalinimo,” or "the essence of being Somali.”
It will have been 64 years since Somalia gained independence. Here is what to know about the holiday and the Columbus Somali community.
When did Somalia gain independence?
Somalia gained full independence on July 1, 1960. Northwest Somaliland was occupied by the British and gained independence by June 26, 1960. They soon united with the Italian Trust Territory of Somaliland, in the south and east, on July 1, 1960.
Somali refugee crisis during the Somalia Civil War
After the onset of the Somali Civil War in 1991, hundreds of thousands of people fled the country due to ongoing political unrest and became refugees.
More than 3 million Somalis are internally displaced, according to the United Nations. Currently, more than 700,000 of them now reside in Kenya, Yemen, Ethiopia and other countries, accounting for 80% of Somali refugees.
The largest population of Somalis in North America is in Toronto, followed by Minneapolis, and Greater Columbus.
How many people comprise the Somali community in Columbus?
According to the Somali Community Association of Ohio, an estimated 45,000-50,000 Somalis live in Columbus.
Many Somalis came to the U.S. through secondary migration, yet many initially resettled in Ohio after fleeing Somalia. Columbus has one of the largest concentrations of Somali-born residents of any U.S. city.
Why is Columbus so attractive to Somali refugees?
SCAOO's website states that many Somalis in other parts of the U.S. moved to Columbus due to the low cost of living, affordable housing, and entry-level job opportunities. Some Somali refugees have had to take on low-skilled jobs in warehouses and food processing plants.
Numerous Somalis are also engaging in business, creating an economic impact in Columbus, and many are accomplished doctors, nurses, lawyers, teachers, IT experts, entrepreneurs, and more.
The official languages of Somalia are Arabic and Somali, and 99% of Somalis are Sunni Muslims. This community continues to struggle with discrimination based on their religious and cultural practices, according to the book "Somalis in the Twin Cities and Columbus." Columbus Somalis face cultural and language barriers, creating struggles in obtaining both employment and education.
How is Somalia's Independence Day celebrated?
Somalis will rejoice at festivals, waving their blue and white Somali flag and Soomaalinimo, which roughly translates as an innate pride in community and self, according to the Sahan Journal.
In Columbus, the Somali Cultural Festival is held annually around July 1 in Innis Park. This festival was founded in 2019 to preserve and promote Somali culture in the diaspora. The 2024 celebration took place on June 29 and featured local Somali performers, traditional dance troupes, and a range of vendors selling authentic Somali food and goods.
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