Omar Abdirahaman (center) and two other Somali Bantu men sit with the instruments they play at cultural gatherings and community celebrations. They made the guitar in the center themselves using motorcycle brake wire, donated calf skin and bed posts.
                                            (All photos by Ann Heppermann, Kara Oehler and Laurel Simmons)

From Somalia to Portland

Omar Abdirahaman (center) and two other Somali Bantu men sit with the instruments they play at cultural gatherings and community celebrations. They made the guitar in the center themselves using motorcycle brake wire, donated calf skin and bed posts.

Credit: All photos by Ann Heppermann, Kara Oehler and Laurel Simmons