'Somalis + Minnesota' exhibit opens Saturday at Minnesota History Center

Luqman Mohamed grew up hearing his grandfather's stories of the nomadic life in Somalia, of family members loading their possessions onto the backs of camels and moving frequently in search of water.

"The camel is an important symbol in my family," said Mohamed, a student at Metropolitan State University.

But like many young Somalis in Minnesota, he hadn't seen much to reflect that heritage as photos and family relics were scarce, left behind or destroyed in the journey to the United States.

Now those stories are coming into focus through photos, artifacts and even a full-sized nomadic home at the Minnesota History Center's "Somalis + Minnesota" exhibit opening Saturday. It's the first long-term exhibit about the East African nation's culture, heritage and diaspora at the state's premier history museum.

The historic photos of the people and the landscape are the most moving, said Mohamed, an intern hired by the Minnesota Historical Society to help recruit volunteers for the exhibit.

"I am amazed," Mohamed said. "The second generation born here is not aware of all this history."

Minnesota is home to the largest Somali population in the United States — 57,000 people, according to the census, though the actual number is believed to be much higher.

"With Somali people in almost every sector of Minnesota's workforce, now is the time to celebrate the strength and resilience of the Somali people and to help build bridges in understanding what it means to be an immigrant," said Steve Elliott, the historical society director and CEO in a statement.

The 2,400-square-foot exhibit was designed in partnership with The Somali Museum of Minnesota and features poetry, photography, oral histories and murals by local Somali artists. Osman Ali, the Somali Museum's executive director, helped procure many of the exhibit's more dramatic artifacts directly from Somalia, including the nomadic dwelling called an aqal Soomaali and a loom used to weave cotton threads into vibrant, striped cloth.

"We are pleased that thousands of visitors to the Minnesota Historical Society will come and look at the exhibit and know about our culture and heritage," Ali said.

Emphasis on daily life

The exhibit focuses on culture and daily life of the Somali people and is designed for a broad audience: Somalis with memories of their homeland, their American-born children and Minnesotans who are intrigued by their neighbors' history and culture.

"There is a lot of mystery around the Somali people and their culture," said Amal Mohamed, the Somali Museum's marketing manager. "Now people will feel more welcome to come and ask questions."

The exhibit is an overview of 4,000 years of history starting with prehistoric cave paintings and continuing through the country's bustling trade ports celebrated in early writings of European and Arab traders. It explores nomadic and agricultural lifestyles raising sheep, goats and camels and growing bananas and other fruit.

It brings visitors to the present day with a room featuring stories of about 100 Somali Minnesotans ranging from doctors and police officers to teachers and small business owners. It briefly explores women's relationship with the hijab, the prominence of tea in the culture and why many Somalis decided to make Minnesota home.

The exhibit also touches on Somali political history — colonization by England, France and Italy and the civil war that erupted in 1991 that resulted in many people fleeing the country.

Kate Roberts, an exhibit developer at the Minnesota History Center, said they were careful to ensure the exhibit would not traumatize visitors with memories of the war. She said they're also committed to having Somalis tell their own stories and history.

"Our goal is to always have a Somali speaker in this exhibit," she said.

Admission and parking will be free Saturday for the exhibit's opening. The celebration will include dance, poetry, storytelling, a weaving demonstration and samples of sambusa and Somali tea. Somali teens who wrote the new Minnesota Historical Society Press cookbook, "Soo Fariista/Come Sit Down: A Somali American Cookbook." will sign copies.

"If people walk away wanting to visit a Somali restaurant, wanting to try some tea or just engage the next Somali they meet in a longer conversation, we will feel like we've met one of our important goals," Roberts said.

Shannon Prather • 612-673-4804