FAARROW
March 19 - April 10, 2019
FAARROW is the project of sisters Iman and Siham Hashi, who were born in Mogadishu, Somalia. After fleeing their home to escape civil war, the sisters and their family relocated to Toronto, Canada as refugees. Iman, meaning “FAITH” and Siham, meaning “ARROW” gives light to the group’s name, FAARROW. Their sound fuses African rhythms with modern production resulting in a drum-heavy fusion of world, hip-hop and pop music.
Watch a video overview of FAARROW’s Spring 2019 Residency via The Cedar’s Youtube Channel.
The sisters released their EP “LOST” in 2016 with Warner Brother Records. In 2017 FAARROW made their debut at SXSW for the “ContraBanned” showcase highlighting artists from countries affected by Trump’s travel ban. FAARROW is currently working on a new album set for an independent 2019 release. Iman and Siham also serve as United Nations Spokespeople with the UN Refugee Agency and are actively involved with humanitarian efforts for other human rights organizations. They recently launched a podcast called POWHER that discusses spirituality, mental health, soul health, mysticism, healing, culture, identity and beauty through their eyes as recording artists, refugees, and black Muslim women living in a patriarchal world.
Midnimo, the Somali word for "unity," is a program that presents the world's leading Somali musical artists in the form of month-long residencies. Midnimo aims to increase understanding of Somali culture in Minnesota, which is home to the largest Somali immigrant population in North America. The program was launched in 2014 in collaboration with Augsburg University, and in 2016 expanded into Greater Minnesota. During residencies, Midnimo artists connect with Minnesotans through in-depth community engagement across the state, including activities like workshops, class visits and education programs, discussions, and live performances in Minneapolis, Mankato, and St. Cloud.
Marla Khan-Schwartz from 89.3 The Current sits down with FAARROW to talk about their identity as a Somali pop duo, and the relationship to their music.
One hallmark of Midnimo is the opportunity for Somali singers and musicians of a variety of genres to perform with a live band - a practice that nearly died out in the wake of war in Somalia in the early 1990s. While in Minnesota, FAARROW worked with Astralblak, who learned the sisters’ music and performed as their live backing band during the residency. Astralblak, known for their exploratory modern sound that merges hard grooves, Afrofuturist themes and soulful melodies, consists of musicians/producers MMYYKK, Proper T, Greg Grease, DJ Just Nine, and Art Parté.
FAARROW and backing band Astralblak conducted performances and community-based activities in Minneapolis, Mankato, and St. Cloud, with a public live finale performance in each city. Primary partners for this residency included The Cedar and Augsburg University in Minneapolis; Somali Community Barwaaqo Organization and Minnesota State University Mankato Area International Festival in Mankato; and Paramount Center for the Arts and St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud.
FAARROW’S MIDNIMO RESIDENCY EVENTS INCLUDED:
MINNEAPOLIS (March 19-24)
Tuesday, March 19
7pm - 9pm Welcome Dinner for FAARROW
FREE
Canabey Restaurant, 312 W Lake Street, Minneapolis
It is Somali tradition to welcome visitors with a dinner on the night of their arrival. After dinner, FAARROW will conduct interviews with press and pose for photos with a live DJ.
Wednesday, March 20
1pm - 3pm Buraanbur Session
FREE. Women only.
Brian Coyle Center, 420 S 15th Ave, Minneapolis
In January The Cedar and the Immigrant Women Advocacy Project launched a series of ongoing Buraanbur dance sessions to foster intergenerational and community connection to support the wellbeing of Somali elder women in Cedar Riverside. Join FAARROW and neighborhood women to learn this traditional poetry and dance form, led by Asha Buraanburtoy.
Thursday, March 21
11am Drop-in at Sisterhood Boutique
Sisterhood Boutique, 2200 Riverside Ave, Minneapolis
FAARROW stage a drop-in to check out the fashions at Sisterhood Boutique, the neighborhood’s entrepreneurial thrift store run by East African youth.
