Dhaanto


Dhaanto is a style of traditional Somali music and folk dance. It is cultural folk dance native to Somali-speaking areas in the Horn of Africa region.

History

The Dhaanto dance-song was revived in the early 20th century and it was used to raise the 'spirits' of soldiers and was often sung on horseback. Dhaanto became popular in the Somali Region of Mogadishu and quickly spread to other Somali occupied territories in the Horn of Africa. In the Ogaden region of Ethiopia, this dance is very popular and annually you will see ethnic Somalis perform versions of the Dhaanto at the in Jigjiga. Additionally, the genre was employed in Islamic poetry. Modern exponents of the Dhaanto style include the Great Dhaant Singer, Poet and Concert Writer and performer Abdirahman Ali, and the Somali singer-songwriter Abdullahi Abdulle
.

Notable musicians

Famous dhaanto artists include Ahmed Budal, Ali Dhaanto, Bashir Carab, Nuur Araale, Kafeya Sarhay Isaaq, Hodon Ma'allin, Bashir Jaawi, Abdi Dhaanto, Hani UK, and more.somali