On 30 October, RISE Projects proudly hosted its fourth annual Somali Culture Night, an event that has grown each year into one of Haringey’s most anticipated cultural celebrations. Supported by generous sponsorship from Dahabshiil, the 2025 edition brought renewed energy, larger crowds and an even deeper sense of community pride to Tottenham’s Pretoria Road Community Centre.
What began four years ago as a small cultural gathering has evolved into a major community event, attracting more than 300 attendees this year — including local councillors, community leaders and the Mayor of Haringey. The evening served as a vibrant tribute to Somali heritage during Black History Month, showcasing the creativity and resilience of a community that plays a central role in Haringey’s cultural fabric.
The programme featured traditional Somali music, poetry, dance, fashion, cuisine and cultural artefacts, offering guests an immersive journey through Somali history and identity. Attendees were welcomed with live performances before enjoying poetry readings, dance participation sessions and cultural stalls displaying artefacts and installs from local business including Dhalaal fashion and fragrances from 2ScentFragrances.
Performances by celebrated artists Muna Xafiis, Cabdi Maaxi Munye, Shukri Cultural Group and Faarax Murtiile brought the crowd to life. A comedic segment added humour to the celebration before a lively finale brought everyone onto the dance floor.
This year’s Somali Culture Night would not have been possible without the generous support of the Dahabshiil Group and the leadership of Abdiaziz Arab, whose funding made the event a reality. Their involvement highlights the importance of corporate social responsibility and the powerful role businesses can play in uplifting local communities. Dahabshiil’s commitment to giving back, particularly to diaspora and underserved communities reflects the values of partnership, inclusion and cultural celebration that sit at the heart of Somali Culture Night.
RISE Projects is deeply grateful for their partnership and looks forward to continuing to work together to celebrate culture, empower residents and build stronger community connections.
We were also delighted to welcome several civic leaders to the celebration, including Mayor Ahmed Mahbub, Deputy Mayor Michelle Safo, Cllr Sue Jameson, Cllr Ibrahim Ali and Cllr Mark Blake, whose presence reflected the borough’s strong support for cultural events and community-led initiatives.
For RISE Projects, Somali Culture Night is much more than an annual event — it is a reflection of the organisation’s commitment to community empowerment, representation and cultural preservation. As Haringey continues to face economic challenges, events like these offer residents a space to connect, belong and celebrate identity.
The success of this year’s celebration marks another milestone in the growth of Somali Culture Night. With strong community support and dedicated partners like Dahabshiil, RISE Projects is proud to continue building a cultural tradition that gets bigger, better and more inspiring every year.
Written by Yousri Belabbes, Youth Engagement Officer