HALIMA, Mogadishu, SOMALIA

Halima’s childhood was spent around her Ayeyo’s (grandmother) table, a place for talking, learning and eating. They’d gather for every meal as if it were a celebration, starting the morning with prayer and a communal breakfast, a ritual kept alive through her Ayeyo’s freshly baked bread. Halima remembers their kitchen as the beating heart of their home, a blur of noise, people and life in constant action. Everyone was made to feel welcome, from family and friends to local school children who would come over during their lunch breaks. Halima’s Ayeyo’s, Khadiijo, gave love to all, teaching Halima how to cook and preparing extra food with every meal to gift to neighbours and those in need. Khadiijo would say, ‘if you see the dish and it’s beautiful, you can taste good things,’ a sentiment Halima still carries with her today. Her own cooking is an honouring of beautiful Khadiijo, embedded with memories, wisdom and an invitation to gather together – the noisier the better!