Saalax Qaasim

Saalax Qaasim was a well known Somali musician and Oud player during the 1970s and 1980s. He was born in Mogadishu in 1943. Qaasim was part of the group Waaberi, and played with musicians like Khadra Daahir Ciige, a famous singer. He often played music at the National Theater, a government-funded center for the arts established by Siad Barre.

Saalax Qaasim wrote the melody for the song “Arday Baan Ahayo.” In an interview with Amina Dhufeys, singer Cabdi Xasan Dige share the following anecdote about Qaasim’s skill for songwriting and quick mind:

“One day I was at the National Theatre, and Cismaan Askari, a military officer and a lyricist, called me into one of the rehearsal rooms. After I entered, he brought in Saalax Qaasim. Saalax was already famous at the time, a master Oud player and a respected singer. Cissmaan instructed him to make the melody for the lyrics he had already prepared. And right there in that room, Saalax composed the melody on the spot while I sang it for the first time.”