When life imitates art: a love story on and off radio

BBC Media Action’s radio dramas in Somalia are deeply rooted in local life and culture, with convincing storylines that resonate. Read about how real-life began to imitate art with our actors Najah and Moukhtaar, who played a married couple in our Talo iyo Tacab (Trial and Triumph) drama, part of our Somali Women’s Economic Empowerment and Transformation project funded by NORAD - and are now happily wed themselves.

Najah Mohamoud Jama and Moukhtaar Mohamoud Abdi first met in 2016 in the BBC Media Action studio, as they voiced roles in our radio drama Malmo dhama manta (Better days than today), part of a youth project supported by the multi-donor Somalia Stability Fund to support media development and media’s responsiveness to youth in Somalia. Moukhtaar, who is now 29, played the role of Ahmed, a young man who owned an internet café, while Najah, now 27, played the role of a young married woman named Asha.

Later, as part of our Somali Women towards Economic Empowerment and Transformation project funded by NORAD, they played the role of husband and wife in Talo iyo Tacab (Trial and triumph). Najah played a young woman named Hodan who meets and later marries Faysal, played by Moukhtaar, a young man who lives with his mother and sister. In the radio drama, Faysal and Hodan meet at university, start an online business during the coronavirus pandemic, fall in love and marry.

"The role I played in the programme reflected me. It was as though I was given the right character, because the changes that took place with Faysal were exactly the changes that took place in me," said Moukhtaar. "Often, our listeners call in to ask what will be in the next episode. Some of them, after hearing about our marriage, called it an encouragement."

Najah adds: "The programme has played a vital role in encouraging women to make decisions about their lives and that they can do business and compete with men."

Making waves

Talo iyo Tacab is part of our national radio magazine-style programme, Making Waves, which aims to support women in Somalia to develop their knowledge, confidence, and financial literacy, so they can take full advantage of economic opportunities. Broadcast via the BBC Somali Service, as well as via five local broadcasters, the show features engaging drama and discussion content to positively influence the value placed on women’s economic role in society – both at the household and community level – and challenge harmful norms holding them back. It also provides women with practical information on business opportunities and available financial services, such as grants and loans, to help kick-start their careers.

Talo iyo Tacab shows young people that women can become successful entrepreneurs and contribute financially to a household, just as men can. Their storyline has been popular in part because it is challenging stereotypes and norms found in traditional society. "I have learnt that women can do what men do, it is just a matter of believing in themselves," says Najah. "I have friends who have changed their behaviours in life and self-development, after listening to the programme."

Real life romance

Meanwhile, Moukhtaar and Najah found real-life beginning to mirror the storyline – they became engaged in early June and married shortly after. In this, they, too, challenged cultural norms, in which mothers advise their daughters on whom they should marry. "The acting made me feel that I can surely lead my own home and only with Najah. I felt as a real family man while I was in the BBC Media Action studio," Moukhtaar said.

The highlight of their colourful wedding was a song written for them by their radio drama colleague Sa’eed Ibrahim Dool.

"I was really moved by the courage of the two young actors and words started forming in my mind describing the situation, which I immediately put on paper," Sa’eed said.

The popular Somali singer Sahra Ahmed Abdillahi , also known as Sahra Ileys, who also performed in the radio drama, sang the song at their wedding: "I will give my heart in singing the song written for the couple."

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Mohammed Gaas
Deputy Country Director
BBC Media Action Somalia

Find out more about our work in Somalia here.