Welsh Somalis renew their links

Somalis settled in areas such as Cardiff's Butetown

Many members of one of the UK's longest-established ethnic minority communities are looking to move back to their country of origin.

A Somali community has existed in south Wales, particularly in the dockland areas of Cardiff and Newport, for more than 100 years.

There are significant numbers looking to move to Somalia, including people who are either Welsh-born or who came here as children

Ibrahim Ali

The Somalis arrived in the booming ports of south Wales as members of the merchant navy and soon became part of the fabric of the communities that grew up around the docks.

Over the years, family ties and years of civil war in Somalia have led to new arrivals in Wales.

The Welsh Somali community is now about 7,000 strong.

Peace

But with Somalia entering a new period of peace, following years of political instability, many Welsh-based Somalis are renewing their links with the country, with many even moving permanently to their land of origin.

Development worker and Somali historian Ibrahim Ali said: "Somalia is now relatively stable and we have evidence that many Somali people in Wales are moving the other way - back to Somalia.

"Somalis originally arrived as merchant seamen, but many later arrivals have been refugees from conflict.

"Now, nearly everyone in the Welsh Somali community has relatives who have gone back.

Somalia has been devastated by 11 years of war

"There are no exact figures...but I was amazed at the numbers I have heard about.

"There are significant numbers looking to move to Somalia, including people who are either Welsh-born or who came here as children.

"It has been going on for the last five years, since the situation has improved in Somalia."

Abdi Zegal left Somalia to move to Wales 13 years ago and is considering returning in the future.

He said: "I feel it is my duty to go back to my roots and experience what I've missed for the last 13 years.

"I've found that balance where I can further myself here, educate myself, work and start a family.

"At the same time...it is our generation and the generation after us who can make the difference back home."

Return

Many older Somalis who arrived in the area around the Cardiff docks as merchant seaman, are also looking to go back to their original homeland.

Richard Dowden, executive director of the Royal Africa Society, said: "They had settled in Wales and many of them had Welsh partners and married...but as they got older, they wanted to go home.

"It's perhaps something of the Somali nomad soul that they went all over the world.

"You meet Somalis everywhere in the world.

"They seem to be the most-travelled race in humanity, but in the end, they like to go home."