Our Past Is Built in Stone
If you’ve ever walked through the old streets of Mogadishu’s Hamar Weyne district or visited the ruins of Zeila and Barawe, you’ve already seen the silent proof: Somalis have been builders for centuries. But sadly, not enough people especially younger Somalis or members of the diaspora know the rich architectural and engineering history of our homeland.
In this post, I’ll walk you through a brief but fascinating journey of Somali architecture and engineering. You don’t need any technical knowledge to follow along just curiosity and maybe a little pride in what our ancestors were able to achieve using local resources, clever designs and community based engineering.
1. Ancient Foundations: Stone, Coral, and Mud
Long before colonial maps ever included Somalia, our people were building homes, ports, mosques, and cities using natural materials like coral stone, limestone, and mud brick.
Take Zeila, a historic port city in the northwest. It was once part of the powerful Adal Sultanate and had structures built using coral stone yes, literal coral from the sea, carefully dried and shaped into blocks. These buildings were sturdy, beautifully ventilated, and tailored to the coastal climate. Some mosques in Zeila are over 800 years old and still standing.
In interior regions, homes were built using thick stone walls that kept the interior cool during scorching days and warm during cold nights.
My opinion? Modern Somali architecture could benefit from revisiting these traditional materials and passive cooling methods. It’s more sustainable and adapted to our climate than the generic concrete blocks we use today.
2. Islamic Influence and Swahili Architecture
Islamic culture deeply influenced Somali design, especially in urban areas like Mogadishu, Baraawe, and Kismayo, which were connected to the wider Indian Ocean trade network.
Old mosques in Mogadishu built in the 13th century combine Persian, Arab and African elements. You’ll find pointed arches, decorative niches, and geometric carvings that mirror architectural styles found in Zanzibar and Oman.
Swahili coastal architecture, with its inner courtyards and narrow, winding streets, was not just for beauty it was practical. The narrow alleys created shade, encouraged wind flow, and allowed privacy in a culturally appropriate way.
Advice for modern builders: Urban planners in Somalia should look into these older layouts when designing new neighborhoods. They are naturally climate-smart and socially cohesive.
3. Colonial Period and Italian Influence
Fast forward to the colonial era especially under Italian rule in southern Somalia and you’ll see a dramatic shift. The Italians introduced European-style buildings with stucco walls, symmetrical designs, and formal boulevards.
Some of these buildings, like the Cathedral of Mogadishu (built in the 1920s), were grand but not well adapted to the local environment. They also disrupted the traditional building knowledge that had developed over centuries.
To this day, many people associate "modern architecture" in Somalia with this period. But we need to ask: is it really modern if it doesn’t suit our climate, our people, or our resources?
4. Post-Independence Engineering Efforts
After independence in 1960, Somalia saw a wave of national projects schools, roads, airports, and housing. With help from countries like the Soviet Union and China, engineers began working on more ambitious infrastructure.
The Banaadir Hospital, stadiums and parts of the Mogadishu Port were expanded during this time. There was a strong sense of pride in using engineering to unify and modernize the country.
However, civil war in the 1990s brought many of these developments to a halt. Skilled architects and engineers fled the country. Many projects were left unfinished or destroyed.
5. What’s Happening Today: Rebuilding with Vision
Today, as Somalia slowly rebuilds, there’s a hunger for new development but also a risk. Much of the new construction is unregulated, fast, and driven by profit, not sustainability. Glass buildings are going up in places that get 40°C heat. Imported materials are being used where local ones would work better and cost less.
But there is hope. I’ve met young Somali architects who are combining modern tools like SketchUp, Revit, and AutoCAD with traditional Somali design principles. They’re working on homes that are not only beautiful, but also smart designed for Somali weather, culture, and lifestyle.
Advice for aspiring engineers and architects: Study both the past and the present. Our history isn’t something to copy blindly, but it’s full of lessons. Don't build for Instagram build for the people who will live in those homes, work in those offices, and pray in those mosques.
Conclusion: A Legacy Worth Preserving and Growing
Somali architecture and engineering didn’t begin with colonialism, and it won’t end with imported blueprints. Our ancestors knew how to build for their time, their place, and their people. And now, it’s our turn.
Whether you’re building a house in Mogadishu, restoring a mosque in Marka or dreaming up a skyscraper in Guriceel remember this engineering is not just about materials and machines It’s about people, culture and the future we want to live in.
Let’s make that future rooted in pride, tradition, and smart, sustainable design.
What traditional Somali building or structure inspires you the most—and how do you think we can blend it with modern design for a better future? leave comment
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