It’s Official! The First African House of Somalia Established at Balboa Park 

By Tihut Tamrat, Contributing Writer 

History has officially been made at Balboa Park: the House of Somalia has become the first African house to be established within the  House of Pacific Relations International Cottages (HPR). This moment marks a major milestone for Somali families, the broader African diaspora, and San Diego’s multicultural landscape.

Held on Sunday, November 23, 2025, the celebration marked their first lawn program since becoming an official member on November 2nd. The afternoon opened with Somali food, vendors such as Meliora Essence, music, and a heartfelt welcome from host Ahmed Mahmoud as guests arrived and settled in. Community leader, Co-Founder and President of House of Somalia Rahmo Abdi then kicked off the ceremony, offering opening remarks that grounded the day in pride, unity, and a deep sense of belonging.

“House of Somalia is the first African country to be represented as part of the HPR. It shows that Africa is here. That we belong here. And while that fills us with pride, I want to say this from my heart:, we may be the first, but we will not be the last, ” Abdi said, capturing the emotional weight of a milestone generations in the community had long hoped to see.

Abdi made sure to let everyone know that she did not and could not do it alone without the full support of the community behind her including, Co-Founder and Vice President, Carlton W. Jones; Board Member, Aster Abraham Keleta; Mentor, Yolanda S. Burgess of the House of Panama; Member, Muna Shagwo; and Artistic Director of the Somali Museum of Minnesota, Mohamued Osman, to mention a few. 

The ceremony continued with three national anthems performed live: the American national anthem by Erisa on saxophone, the Somali national anthem by Saacid Khalif, and the Black national anthem by Cynthia Ajani. Their inclusion symbolized the cultural layers of Somali-American identity of heritage, history, and home.

Guest speaker Makeda Cheatom, representing the WorldBeat Cultural Center, shared a message honoring Somali culture’s contributions to San Diego’s artistic and community landscape. This was followed by a five-minute cultural history highlight, presented by the Somali Museum of Minnesota, offering guests a window into Somalia’s rich traditions, arts, and storytelling. 

Performances throughout the program showcased the vibrant artistry of the Somali diaspora. One of the most captivating moments was the traditional Somali dancing, rooted in the deep symbolism of the camel, an animal central to Somali nomadic life, history, and identity. For generations of Somali nomads, camels have represented resilience, beauty, wealth, and survival. Many traditional dances mimic the camel’s gentle sway and rhythmic steps, honoring both the animal’s importance and the pastoral heritage that shaped Somali culture across centuries.The Somali Museum of Minnesota presented several dance and cultural pieces, followed by musical performances from the legendary Somali music artist Safiya Tusmo, whose vocals moved the crowd and added celebratory joy.

The afternoon’s second performance block continued this energy with additional presentations by the Somali Museum and more music from Tusmo, underscoring the depth of Somali artistic expression and the excitement surrounding the new cottage’s establishment.

For many in attendance, the day was more than a cultural celebration, it was a moment of generational significance. As Abdi shared:

“The goal is for our little kids, our future, the ones who were born here[America]  to know their ancestors and where they came from. For them to say ‘my house’, ‘our house’, is represented at Balboa Park. ”

The House of Somalia now stands as a physical and symbolic home: a place where Somali culture can be shared, preserved, and uplifted, and a space where future generations of the African diaspora can see themselves represented at one of San Diego’s most prominent cultural institutions.

The ceremony closed with acknowledgments and a heartfelt message of gratitude. But as Abdi noted, this milestone, “is just the beginning of African countries being represented here.”

With their membership now established, the first African house at Balboa Park is looking ahead to the next milestone: building a physical cottage alongside the other nations. To make that vision a reality, community support will be essential. The House of Somalia plans to connect with other African countries and launch fundraising initiatives to preserve their culture and strengthen community ties here in San Diego.