Loyada border post, circa 1935
I think this is on the Djibouti side of the border. When I crossed this border in 1984 and 1985 it seemed that the building was bigger (and it was painted white), and the palm trees much higher. It looked like a scene out of the 1939 movie Beau Geste. The same building can be seen in this recent Google Maps view of the border.
Tre Biano building
(from Italian “tre piani” meaning “3 floors”? ) On Via Maka-Almukarama, Mogadishu. Seen here on Google maps.
I lived in an apartment here from 1986 to 1989. I would like to know more about the history of this building. Can you help? In the mid-80s it was owned by a family from Hargeysa, who lived on the ground floor (if I am correct). I think it was built sometime in the 1950s, but I may be wrong.
An introduction to shax: A Somali game
This is a pdf copy of a short paper I wrote while living in Mogadishu, with the assistance of Ibrahim Awad, Abdidahir Ali Hirsi, Axmed Ismacil Jamac, and Axmed Liban Axmed. It was on the web for a long time, then disappeared. So here it is again: AN INTRODUCTION TO SHAX: A SOMALI GAME
“Merca – Missionari i poveri”
Dated 1911. Published by Missione Francescana di Mogadiscio
“Mogadiscio – Moschea Scek Ibraim”
Where is it located? Possibly somewhere near or in between the old El Gab market and Xamar Weyne. Please post your suggestions below using the Comment feature.
The same mosque appears in this older postcard below. Taken from the same angle, you can see the same well in front of the mosque..
“Mogadiscio – Mercato Amarnini”
This copy provided courtesy of Bruce Eady. Possible date: early 1920s. Location unknown, but likely to be in the vicinity of Xamar Weyne.
If you can help with the location please use the Comment facility below
“Mogadiscio – Viale Sorrentino”
This copy provided courtesy of Bruce Eady. Posted in 1923. Location unknown.
If you can help identify the location please use the Comment facility below
“Somalia Ex Britannica”
This copy provided courtesy Bruce Eady: ” It is an official Italian army postcard which was sent free of postage by the troops. Soldiers had to put their unit details to get the free postage — in this case it was the Commando Divisione Fanteria “Puglie” ( 38 ). There is an army post office postmark of January 1941. These army postmarks deliberately didn’t disclose their location so unless we can discover where field post office N12 was we cannot pin down where it originated. Research needed !”
“Somalia – Mogadiscio – In the customs enclosure”
Approximate location. Lat: 2.036332, Long: 45.351251
View of earliest Italian colonial period wharf
View looking inland towards Governor’s Palace (later the site of the Al Uruba Hotel)
Note official being carried on a simple type of sedan chair, centre of photo, facing the camera
Postcard posted 1926, but photo may have been taken well before then
Approximate location of camera: Lat 2°02’00.4″N Long 45°20’37.3″E
Inscription at the entrance to the Fakhr al-Din mosque
Can anyone translate the inscription? Click on the photo, twice, to enlarge it to a more readable size. Post your Comments below
Location: Lat: 2°02’00.6″N Long: 45°20’34.6″E
Healing ceremony
Undated postcard. Looks like a healing ceremony, a zar perhaps. Can anyone help with more information? Post your Comments below
Colonial period building on the lower Juba
Photo taken in 1988, at the mouth of the Juba, on the north side of the river.
It could be Italian or English. This area, known as Jubaland, was once under British colonial control
Possible location: Lat and Long 0°14’55.8″S 42°37’04.0″E
-0.248845, 42.617769
“La Cattedrale”
The Cathedral. From a postcard posted in 1950
Destroyed by fire in late 1990/early 1991
Lat and Long: 2°02’08.4″N 45°20’30.0″E
2.035658, 45.341670
“Mogadiscio – Arabo – Somali”
Possibly from Xamar Weyne or Shangani area of the city? Any ideas, if so please leave a Comment
Double click on photo to get a large and more detailed view
“Somalia – Mogadiscio – Albergo Savoia”
Location found thanks to comment by Ikar below
On the site of the Jirdeh Hussein Building.
Lat and Long: 2°02’09.1″N 45°20’33.9″E
2.035855, 45.342760
Double click on photo to get a large and more detailed view
“Mogadiscio – Albergo Croce del Sud”
Hotel Southern Cross, in English. But always the Croce del Sud to me
Double click on photo to get a large and more detailed view
Lat and Long: 2°02’06.0″N 45°20’27.7″E
2.035000, 45.341028
This copy courtesy of Bruce Eady, posted in 1936. So is the top photo from the same period?
Mogadishu: Images from the Past 
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