The Tonight Show - Mogadishu trade city project

From Studio 2C in Mogadishu, it's the Tonight Show with Jimmy Arnold! Tonight, Dawn Schmidt. Gerry the Giraffe. And musical guest Alfredo Nas-T. Featuring the Tonight Show band. I'm Logan Smith. Now, here's your host, Jimmy Arnold! That's what I'm talking about, right there, everybody, that's a great Mogadishu crowd! Welcome to the Tonight Show, you feeling good tonight? Welcome, welcome, thank you for watching at home. As you all know, we've been taking this show across the globe. Tonight we are in Mogadishu, Somalia. For those of you at home, that's just north of the equator on the eastern coast of the continent at about: I'm a bit wary to give away our exact coordinates, since the city of Mogadishu is currently not the safest place in the world. Logan, actually, I hear you had a hard time getting here. Well, it was a little difficult... [Logan receives a text from Jimmy that reads, "u in mogadishu yet bro?"] Now we have someone really special on the show. She's a high school history teacher from Phoenix, Arizona. Give it up for Mrs. Dawn Schmidt! Welcome, welcome, thanks for coming on the show. Yeah it's been a long time since I've been on your last on the show. I've just been busy lately with all the DBQs to grade, you know? Yeah, I know how you feel. So, what brought you out here to Mogadishu? Well, I've been here a few times, I think about... four times now? Maybe? You've been here four other times? I think so... although it has been awhile since my last visit. That one didn't go too well. What, what happened? As you know, I am a history teacher and I like to take groups of kids to travel to various places around the world. It was a few years ago that we decided to go to eastern Africa to explore the trade cities along the Indian Ocean. We checked out Kilwa and Mombasa, which were kind of boring, so I thought I'd take them somewhere with a little more action. That's when the group and I headed to Somalia to the great city Mogadishu. With the civil war taking place, I took all the necessary precautions to make sure the kids were safe. We purchased some bullet proof vests and a dozen or so AK-47s and went out to see the historic city. So let me get this straight. You and a dozen high school students were sightseeing armed with bulletproof vests and AK-47s? Well, yeah. I like to keep the kids on their toes, you know? Anyway, one day we were checking out the main port of the city were centuries ago it was a one of the most happening places for the Indian Ocean trade. Back then, Mogadishu exported gold, livestock, high quality fabric, leather, and ivory in return for cloth, spices, and weapons. Little did I know at the time, Somalia is now home to a huge network of pirates. As we were exploring the coast, one of the kids (I think his name was like something Philips, or maybe... Hanks?) was taken hostage by the pirates. A pirate took one of your students hostage? That must have been really scary. It wasn't that big of a deal; we just let him go and have his fun. That's just one less plane ticket on the way back, right? Eventually we all came back to the States, and I was minorly punished: I wasn't allowed to teach AP World History for a year, but it was worth the experience. You know, Mogadishu is full of interesting history. Yeah. Could you tell us a little about it? Sure. In about 950, Mogadishu was founded by the Arabs. Eventually, this city developed a local government that came to be known as the Sultanate of Mogadishu. Then, in 1269, Fakr ad-Din, the first Sultan of the Sultanate of Mogadishu, constructed the first mosque in Mogadishu. Subsequently... Sorry to interrupt, but we don't have time for a full history, I just meant... From 1300 to 1500 was the first golden age for Mogadishu as the Indian Ocean Trade network began to expand. During this period in 1331, Ibn Batuta visited Mogadishu and described it as a thriving city. Mogadishu sent ambassadors to pay tribute to the Ming dynasty in 1416. In return, the Yongle Emperor (Ming China) dispatched Admiral Zheng He to visit Mogadishu in 1430. In the 15th Century, Vasco da Gama visited Mogadishu. Attacks from the Portuguese cause a period of decline in about 1500. In an attempt to counter these attacks in 1580, Somali, Arab, and Turkish fleets attacked Portuguese colonies. Eventually in about 1660, the Muzaffar Dynasty of the Sultanate of Mogadishu managed to temporarily stop Portuguese attacks. Nearby the rising Ajuuraan state came into power and in the late 17th Century, the Ajuuraan state took control of the Sultanate of Mogadishu, thus leading to a second golden age. From the 17th to 18th centuries, the Ajuuraan state prospered along with Mogadishu. A period of decline began in the 18th Century when the Ajuuraan State broke apart into different smaller states due to revived Portuguese harassments. In 1871, Mogadishu came under the joint control of the Omani Sultan of Zanzibar and Somali Geledi Sultanate. Later that century in 1892, Ali bin Said of the Omani Sultan of Zanzibar leased the city to Italy. After WWI in 1918, the city was completely under Italian control and called Italian Somaliland. During WWII in 1941, Italian Somaliland then came under British military administration. But finally in 1960 on July 1st, the Somali Republic gathered independence from Italy and Britain, with Mogadishu serving as the nation's capital. It was looking like Mogadishu may have a third golden age with this newfound independence but then in 1991, the Somali civil war began and continues to this day. Although recently, things do seem to be getting better. [Muffled explosion shakes the studio] What in the world was that? I think someone in the audience may have had a bit too much of Taco Bell. Sorry. So as you all know, we are based in the US. When I told people I was heading to Mogadishu, I was surprised that many of them didn't know where that was. With such a rich history, I had a hard time believing that anyone could not know about the city. Who doesn't love history? That wasn't a joke. But I honestly was surprised that people had no clue what I was talking about. You know what I'm talking about Logan? Well I didn't really have time to tell anyone that I was leaving. So a few weeks ago, I decided to send one of our most trustworthy correspondents to find out if people really did not know about Mogadishu. So with that story, here is Gerry the Giraffe. Okay, so here we are in America to ask people what they know about the city of Mogadishu. Do you know what the capital of Somalia is? Somalia? Haha, no. Okay, so do you know what the major religion in the city of Mogadishu is? No. Guess. Um... Do you know three, the three countries that border Somalia? Just guess. Iraq, Israel, and... I have no idea. Do you know where Mogadishu is? No. Guess. Europe. So, uh, what is the first word that comes to mind when I say Somalia? Oh... pirates. Oh, Somalia! I want to go over. Somalia is on the horn. Somalia is on the horn of Africa. Okay, yeah. No... Kenya? Egypt? No... Kenya... Alright, whatever. Djibouti... Excuse me? And now here he is! Pleasure to be here. So, now you've been in Mogadishu for a few days, what do you think? It's actually been a great time. Actually, I have some pictures to show you. Oh yeah. For those of you that don't know Gerry, he is big into taking selfies. Yeah, you guys want to see some of my selfies? Ok, well here is a pic of me at the main port of Mogadishu, before the conflict here, it was as an important international seaport. Now, here is a picture of me looking at the skyline of the city. Prior to the civil war, Mogadishu was known as the "White Pearl of the Indian Ocean". Now, here I am at the Mosque of Islamic Solidarity in Mogadishu. It is the largest mosque in the Horn of Africa region. Real quick, I just want to point out to our viewers at home that Islam is the main religion here. Islam came to Mogadishu with the Arabs that established the city in about 950. Fakr ad-Din constructed the first mosque in Mogadishu and eventually Somali ways of life began to blend with Muslim ways of life. Islam is the most prominent religion in modern day Somalia and most of them practice Sunni Islam. Yes Islam is very big here. Anyway, I checked out one of the lighthouses in the region. Being one of the trade cities in the Indian Ocean Trade Network, the construction of lighthouses was key to safe trade in the region. Then I headed inland to buy some souvenirs. Unfortunately, I did not have the correct currency. As it turns out, I had coins made during the Sultanate of Mogadishu. Haha, stupid me. Back then, the Sultanate of Mogadishu minted their own coins to facilitate regional trade. Now, here I am with a pirate. Piracy has skyrocketed in Somalia because of the Civil War. I thought it was interesting to note the city that was once known for safe trading ports is now avoided because of its unsafeness. After that photo, I realized I was very lost, so I went to find a map that detailed the city. I eventually found a 15th century map made by an Italian named Fra Mauro. It detailed the key ports of trade, but it didn't really help me figure out where I was. So how did you finally find your way here? How did I find my way here? Well, um... I just listened to the sounds of Logan being attacked. What? Stay tune, because we have a man with some real talent coming up next. And we're back. Logan, could you introduce our next guest. Everybody give it up for Mr. Alfredo Nasty! I'd like to dedicate this song to 85% Somali, 15% Bantu, Arabs, and other non-Somali in this great city. Uh... is that like the ethnic composition of the city. Actually back in the time of the Sultanate of Mogadishu, it was comprised Bushmen Aboriginals, Bantu, Cushitic, Arabs, and Persians. But now in days, it's 85% Somali, 15% Bantu, Arabs, and other non-Somali. You sure know a lot about this place. Well, I used to be a tour guide, but I fired for showing some kids some... what was the word they used...? "Inappropriate" exhibits. Some stupid reason. But then I found my passion for music. So what will you be playing for us today, on the show? I will be presenting you Qolobaa Calankeed, the national anthem of Somalia. And here he is! ♫ Qolobaa calankeed, ♫ ♫ waa ceynoo. ♫ ♫ Qolobaa calankeed, waa ceynoo. ♫ ♫ Innaga keenu waa, ♫ ♫ Cirkoo kale ee, ♫ ♫ Qolobaa calankeed, waa ceynoo. ♫ ♫ Qolobaa calankeed, waa ceynoo. ♫ ♫ Innaga keenu waa, ♫ ♫ Cirkoo kale ee. ♫ [Saxophone solo preformed on a recorder] [Electric guitar solo preformed on an acoustic guitar] ♫ Qolobaa calankeed, waa ceynoo. ♫