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Origin Somalia
Genres Somali music
Occupation(s) singer, dancer
Instruments vocals, guitar, oud, tambura
Years active 1960s-1990s
Associated acts Ali Feiruz, Hasan Adan Samatar, Magool, Maryam Mursal

Waaberi (Somali: Waaberi, Arabic: وابري‎) was a Somali musical supergroup.


The troupe was established by members of the Radio Artists Association. It was supported by the Somali government as part of the National Theatre of Somalia, and made tours throughout several countries in Africa, including Egypt and Sudan.[1] They also performed in the People's Republic of China. After a coup in 1969, the ensemble was renamed Waaberi, which means "Dawn Players".[1] The group continued to exist as a private organization into the 1990s.

Vocalist Maryam Mursal, the first woman to play Somali jazz, was a member of the ensemble.[2] After performing at the English WOMAD festival in 1997, the group toured North America in 1998, and recorded an album with Egyptian musician Hossam Ramzy.[2]


As Somalia's foremost musical group, Waaberi spawned many popular artists who would go on to enjoy successful individual careers and shape the face of Somali music for years to come. Prominent members of the band included:

See also[edit]


  1. ^ a b Johnson, John William. "Somalia". New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians Online.
  2. ^ a b Biography, Allmusic.com.