Arday Baan Ahayo

“I am a Student”

Arday Baan Ahayo

Erayadi (poetry): Cismaan Askari
Codki (voice): Cabdi Xasan Dige
Laxan (music/melody): Saalax Qaasim
Oud: Cabdi Xasan Dige

“Arday baan ahayo” (“I am a student”) is a celebrated Somali school‑song whose lyrics, melody and performance together make it a memorable component of educational and cultural life in Somalia and among the Somali diaspora. It was likely composed during the 1960s under the efforts of Siad Barre to promote music and education in Somalia. The song functions as more than just melody; it is didactic. It encourages children to value schooling. It is widely taught in educational settings, as a reminder of collective responsibility: students are future contributors. By framing students as the “flower of the country,” the song links education with national renewal, something that was actively promoted in Somalia during the “Golden Age” where schooling, the arts and social cohesion were central. Decades later and across the globe the song is still taught in schools today. In a community from a country affected by civil war, the song takes on extra significance: education is portrayed as a route out of hardship, a commitment by youth to themselves, their families and their society.

The song’s messaging aligns with broader themes in Somali educational and cultural discourses: the importance of literacy, religion, and the link between personal endeavour and social benefit. Because the song is widely used in Somali diaspora schooling contexts, for example in London, it also acts as a cultural connector: helping children in the diaspora link to Somali language, heritage and values. In short, “Arday baan ahayo” operates as a symbol of education: it is sung by students, taught in schools, and evokes the notion that the learner is an important part of something bigger than themselves. Its widespread use holds cultural and moral significance: urging dedication, study, and service.

A recording and accompanying music video from 2024

I am a student

I am a student, I am a student,
I am the flower (hope) of this nation
I Strive, I strive, I go to schools
So that I may repay the debt I owe my father and mother
With all the effort I bring, O Allah, help me, Amen, Amen
O Allah, support me, Amen, Amen

I am a student, I am a student, I am the light of the dawn
I run, I run, I go to take exams
So that I may gain knowledge, and benefit my country
With all the effort I bring, O Allah, help me, Amen, Amen
O Allah, support me, Amen, Amen