Nadifa Mohamed Oral History Interview | Writing, Memory & Somali Heritage

Award-winning British-Somali novelist and broadcaster Nadifa Mohamed joins Culture House for an in-depth oral history interview exploring memory, migration, literature, identity, and the importance of preserving Somali stories. Drawing on her personal experiences and extensive historical research, Nadifa reflects on growing up between Hargeisa and London, her family’s history, and the inspirations behind her acclaimed novels Black Mamba Boy, The Orchard of Lost Souls, and The Fortune Men. She also discusses the role of oral history, language, truth in fiction, and the responsibility of telling stories that might otherwise be forgotten. This interview forms part of Culture House’s Oral History Project, which documents the experiences, memories, and contributions of Somali people across generations, ensuring these stories are preserved for future communities, researchers, and audiences.