Dhaanto

Dhaanto is a style of traditional Somali music and folk dance. It is a cultural folk dance native to the Somali people in the Horn of Africa.^[1]

Somali young women and men performing the traditional dhaanto dance-song in Jubaland.

History

According to local tradition, Dhaanto is believed to have been invented by the nomadic Ogaden clan. The origins of the dance could be traced back to Somali Region of Ethiopia.^[2] It was revived in the late 19th century and was used to raise the 'spirits' of soldiers and was often sung on horseback. Dhaanto became popular among the Somalis in Ethiopia and quickly spread to other Somali territories in the Horn of Africa. In the Ogaden region, this dance is very popular and you will annually see ethnic Somalis perform different versions of this dance at the Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Day in Jigjiga. Additionally, the genre is also employed in Islamic poetry.^[3][4]