Press Releases

A series of striking and sensitive portraits of Somali Elders will go on display at National Museum Cardiff from 6 June – 30 July 2006.

The exhibition challenges stereotypes and misrepresentations of Muslim men and Somali people in the UK, revealing a rich social, cultural and economic contribution that continues today.

Photographed and curated by Glenn Jordan, Director of Butetown History & Arts Centre and Reader in Cultural Studies at the University of Glamorgan, the display of 32 colour portraits of older Somali men brings us face-to-face with a largely unseen history and presence.

To the average Western viewer, the men in these portraits are likely to be seen as unimportant or anonymous, but within Somali society they are people of considerable status, revered for their knowledge and experience. They are elders. Their portraits show them wearing Islamic hats, traditional cloth draped around their shoulders and carrying walking sticks – signifiers of their status, honour and their religion.

Many of the men are former seamen; some are refugees or asylum seekers who fled constant danger at home. A number are seamen who served in the Merchant Navy and Royal Navy in the Second World War, Falklands War and other conflicts. Two of them are decorated war heroes, yet there is little known in Cardiff and Wales about their contributions.

The Elders combine Western and traditional clothes, colours and patterns. These men are bi-cultural, with complex identities. They belong to two worlds – not just the world of Somali society and culture but also Western society and culture.

Cardiff has one of the longest established Somali communities in Britain and the largest British-born Somali population in the UK. Although Somali women have only been in the UK since the 1970s, Somali men have been here for more than 100 years. The first of them came to the UK shortly after the opening the Suez Canal in 1869; the arrival of the first Somali in Cardiff dates from the 1870s.

Somalis asylum seekers, including women and families, began arriving in Britain during the 1980s, fleeing the dictatorial reign of Siad Barre. Many Somalis suffered abuse and imprisonment during this time and as the violence increased and political destabilisation intensified, many families sought refugee status, including single women whose husbands had either been murdered or imprisoned.

Glenn Jordan, photographer and curator said:

"This is socially conscious photography. I hope that these images contribute to a reduction in xenophobia and Islamophobia; that they contribute, at least in some small way, to a better world in which there is respect for difference and a realisation that human beings are essentially one."

Mike Tooby, Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales Director of Public Programming and Learning, said:

"The project is a powerful evocation of an important dimension of the Somali community of Cardiff. A fitting part of our programme celebrating the Muslim cultures of Wales."

The display is accompanied by a full colour, comprehensive book (in English and Somali) exploring the history and presence of Somalis in Wales. Entitled Somali Elders Portraits from Wales, the book will be on sale at the National Museum Cardiff gift shop for £24.95.

Rageh Omaar in conversation with Jon Gower – 3pm, 2 July

Rageh Omaar reads extracts from his new book Only Half of Me and talks with former BBC Wales journalist Jon Gower about his life as BBC correspondent in Afghanistan and Iraq, followed by Q&A session and book signing. Free. Pre-booking strongly recommended. Events OfficeL 029 2057 3148.
Organised by Beyond the Border: Wales International Storytelling Festival
Part of the Festival of Muslim Cultures.

‘Somali Elders' is part of a series of special displays and exhibitions to celebrate the UK-wide Festival of Muslim Cultures. National Museum Cardiff is one of Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales' seven national museums across Wales. The others are, St Fagans: National History Museum, National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon, Big Pit: National Coal Museum, Blaenafon, National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre, National Slate Museum, Llanberis and the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.

Entry to all Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales sites is free, thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government.

Notes to Editors

For further information please contact

Sian James, Press Officer, National Museum Cardiff
Direct line: 029 2057 3185
Email: Email Siân James