East Africa

Seattle Eritrean community celebrates 27 years of independence

by Agazit Afeworki
The celebration of Eritrean Independence Day included traditional coffee ceremonies, art, music and dances from the country's different ethnic groups.
Jun 6, 2018
Jemila Abdullah, Iftin Kedir and Munera Mohammed (from left) during a coding class for East African youth held by Companion Athletics. (Photo by Goorish Wibneh)

Popular East African basketball program pivots to coding classes

by Goorish Wibneh
Organizers of an all-East African basketball league say the popularity of new coding classes for youth have surprised even them.
Feb 13, 2017

Why I moved back to Somalia (and you should, too)

by Said Shaiye
Members of the Somali diaspora are leaving a Seattle that's increasingly inhospitable for working class immigrants and people of color, and returning to rebuild their homeland.
Feb 2, 2016

Tigray Festival in Seattle promotes unique Ethiopian culture

by Goorish Wibneh
The Tigray Festival celebrates culture and connections to Tigreans in Ethiopia, and kicks off in Seattle this week.
Jul 29, 2015
Sahra Farah, Director of Somali Community Services of Seattle. (Photo by Jama Abdirahman)

Seattle’s Smartest Global Women: Sahra Farah

by Jama Abdirahman
A Somali American pioneer challenges her community
Apr 16, 2015
Hamza Ibrahim, 18, leaps for a rebound during a Companion Athletics basketball game. His team, representing the Ethiopian Muslim Association of Seattle (EAMS) won the championship last year — and involvement in the league encouraged Ibrahim to get his grades up. (Photo by Alex Stonehill)

All East African basketball league transforms teens

by Sarah Stuteville
A new all East African basketball league in Tukwila has given Somali, Ethiopian and Eritrean teens a chance to show off their skills, and raise their grades.
Mar 20, 2015

East African community reps respond to Capitol Hill robbery accusations

by The Seattle Globalist
An open letter from representatives of the Somali and East African communities about crime and discrimination on Capitol Hill.
Sep 22, 2014
Break dancing in Uganda during the Obumu Media Lab workshops earlier this year. (Photo by Scott Macklin)

Positive moves for East African youth on display in Belltown

by Kamna Shastri
Ziwa will be showing until the end of July at the 2312 Gallery. All proceeds from art sold at the show go directly to arts education organizations.
Jul 10, 2014

All smiles for Eritrean painter

by Sarah Stuteville
A pair of young artists who are immigrants from Eritrea are staging a show, “Memories from Back Home” at the Metrocenter YMCA starting July 10.
Jul 4, 2014

The power of film to unite, from Rwanda to Seattle

by Sarah Stuteville
A new film about Rwanda’s burgeoning film industry shows how the collective moviegoing experience has the power to heal the scars of genocide.
May 24, 2013

Not “Just Another Towelhead”: A Globalist Q&A with slam poet Hamda Yusuf

by Ansel Herz
Meet Hamda Yusuf: She’s 19, she’s a local slam poetry champion, and she wants to be the US ambassador to Somalia.
Apr 5, 2013

Seattle, you have had your share!

by Simon Okelo
A former slum-resident from Kenya thinks his hometown can teach Seattle a thing or two about consumption and green-living. 
Apr 3, 2013

Women, water and what it means to ‘have it all’

by Marla Smith-Nilson
For millions of women and girls in poor countries, collecting water for their families each day is not just a chore—it’s a symbol of gender oppression.
Mar 22, 2013

Fond memories of Somalia manifest at South Seattle restaurant

by Abby Higgins
Al Uruba restaurant on Renton Avenue serves up traditional food in the kind of peaceful setting that may finally be returning to Somalia after decades of war. 
Feb 18, 2013

Seattleites and Ugandans join forces against Malaria

by Joy Portella
“Let me take you to Uganda with me.” That’s how Dr. Ben Khingi began his presentation last Thursday evening at the Washington Global Health Alliance. The crowd was mostly of global health professionals who were eager to join Dr. Khingi on his virtual journey. Through a series of startling images and vivid descriptions, Dr. Khingi […]
Oct 11, 2012
Kenyan food

Strip mall secrets: Uhuru Kenyan restaurant

by Alex Stonehill
When Seattleites think African food, the first thing that comes to mind is probably one of our region’s umpteen Ethiopian restaurants. And don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the tangy, expand-in-your-stomach pleasures of injera as much as the next guy. But the craving that followed me home from a four month visit to East Africa, and […]
May 7, 2012