Learn Culture at the Somali Museum of Minnesota

One man has set out to preserve his heritage and culture. Over the years, he’s collected 1,500+ artifacts from Somali culture and heritage that help tell the story of the Somali people. Only a small portion of those artifacts are on display at the Somali Museum of Minnesota in Minneapolis. My son and I are so glad we visited this hidden gem during our weekend trip.

If you have plans to be in Minneapolis, I highly recommend taking the time to explore the Somali Museum of Minnesota. This simple, yet impactful museum was my son’s favorite museum during our trip. The artifacts on display and informative conversation with Osman Ali, the founder and executive director of the museum, provided insights into a culture we weren’t very familiar with.

How did I hear about the Somali Museum of Minnesota? I reached out to Meet Minneapolis and found a list of 52 things to do in Minneapolis. This museum was on that list – and we’re very glad we were able to visit it.

Directions and Tickets to the Somali Museum of Minnesota

The Somali Museum of Minnesota is only two miles from downtown Minneapolis. You can take public transit, but we simply grabbed an UBER and took the less-than-10-minute ride to the museum.

Unlike many other museum’s I’ve visited, the Somali Museum of Minnesota does not have its own building. So when we arrived at the address, it wasn’t very apparent where the museum was located. We looked at where the building was located in our Google map, and ended up entering the building from the back door (there is a front door, right off of Lake Street). The museum was down a flight of stairs into the basement.

RELATED POST: My review of the Courtyard Minneapolis Downtown Marriott hotel, with photos

I was a little surprised when I discovered the museum was a collection of rooms in an office space in the basement floor of the building. But like they say, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Osman is working hard to get the funding needed to purchase a more typical museum space.

The museum is only open on Friday from 3-7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. Hopefully that works with your travel plans to Minneapolis. Tickets are $11 for adults, $8 for Youth (ages 5-17) and Seniors (60+). When you arrive, that’s when you pay your admission fee. There’s no option to purchase your tickets online.

Nomadic Artifacts on Display

From the moment you enter the Somali Museum of Minnesota, you’ll see artifacts galore. As mentioned, Osman has collected 1,500+ artifacts, but there’s only room for 300 to be on display. The museum is arranged in multiple rooms, so you can explore each one to learn about a different aspect of the Somali culture.

In the entry way room, there are wooden bells hanging on the wall. Those bells are what camels wore in the desert. The Somali people are nomadic, meaning they move around a lot and don’t setup permanent residences. Camels are vital for their culture and survive well in the desert. If you’ve never heard the sound a camel makes, then be sure and push the button in this exhibit area to hear the sound.

RELATED POST: Learn about the culture of Southern France at the Santon Village in Aubagne, France

Another room focuses on religious artifacts of the Somali people, while another features clothing and vessels used to store and carry milk or water. Osman explained that the traditional vessels on display have started to be replaced with ones made of other materials, like plastic. That’s one of the reasons he has some on display – an effort to preserve the culture.

Osman was very nice in offering information about the background of the Somali people. He talked with us about the gold star on the blue background – which makes up the Somali flag. He spoke about the refugee camps, the changes in government and the immigration of Somali people to America. I could’ve spent hours talking with Osman about the Somali culture and was very appreciative of his time and efforts.

A Nomad’s House in the Dessert

The back room of the museum includes a complete traditional Somali hut. From the outside, you see what looks like a grass hut. But once inside, you’ll see the patchwork quilts and blankets draped over a wooden frame. Although the floor of the museum is wood, each post of the structure is placed into a large pot of actual soil. It’s a small detail, but dirt is exactly what the posts would be placed into in Somali.

I recommend stepping inside and taking a moment to sit and look around. It’s a great place to contemplate and visualize the Somali culture.

Programs Available at the Somali Museum of Minnesota

Beyond being a museum where people can simply tour the artifacts, there are several programs available. Since my son and I were the only ones at the museum that afternoon, we were able to have a great, informal conversation with Osman. But those wanting to have a more formal presentation about the Somali culture can sign up for Somali Culture 101. This includes a guided tour of the museum, listening to a “Somali Culture 101” lecture, and most importantly receive cultural training from an expert, where you can ask questions about the Somali people and tradition.

Looking for something a little different? Sign up for a traditional finger weaving class. This technique is used by the Somali people to weave mats by hand, which would then be used to cover their houses. I definitely want to revisit the museum to learn this technique.

There are other programs available, including school tours where students come to the museum. Another option is to bring a few artifacts and an expert to your school to share the culture with the students. Both are options worth considering, especially if you have school-aged students in the Minneapolis area.

There’s also a Somali Museum Dance Troupe, which I think would be fun to watch. The troupe includes  teens and young adults from the greater Twin Cities area who are passionate about sharing their culture through dance.

The Details

Address: 1516 East Lake St. Suite 011, Minneapolis, MN 55407

How long to spend: Plan on 30-60 minutes

Cost: Admission tickets are $11 for adults $8 for youth (ages 5-17) and seniors (age 60+). There are discounts for groups of 10 people or more.

Hours: Every Friday from 3-7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from 1-5 p.m.

Website: http://www.somalimuseum.org/

Phone: (612) 234-1625

DISCLOSURE: I received two complimentary admission tickets to the Somali Museum of Minnesota, in partnership with Meet Minneapolis, for the purpose of review. All opinions are my own.

PIN THIS