Profile

I met Mr. Dirios few years ago, Back home Mr.Dirios was once the president of National Museum in Somalia. He also worked in Academy of Science where he experienced a great deal of researching and managing. Then in 1990 he moved to Sweden where he worked and develops more understanding on business management. After coming to America he worked for Columbus Board of Education. Even though many knew him around the community as well as in the neighborhood. They are unaware of his knowledge which is worth seeing, as it exemplifies the beauty of Somali art. Mr. Dirios physical characteristics are portrayed as, a tall, medium built guy, who wears typical Somali clothes, and does not really care of what people think about him. With his thick glasses, he speaks very soft and gentle, but many underestimate his ability as a museum artist. I always wanted to learn about Mr.Dirios and his mysterious museum which the name recently changed to Somali Cultural and Research Center. The Museum is located inside a crowed Somali mall. The mall is run by Somali immigrants, and has varieties of stores within the same building. In particular, Mr. Dirios who fled his home country more than a decade ago, due to violence, finds peace in his little museum. Currently, his museum is almost filled with items and pictures. Upon entering the small museum you will feel as if you are in another country. It is like a bee hive net filled from top to bottom, with all kinds of art glory to cultural sculptures. The museum is a non profit-making service for conservation, study and reflection on heritage and cultural development. You know there is an old saying that suggests “don’t judge the book by its cover” and after interviewing Mr. Dirios, I realized how true that saying is.




My name is Mohamud Mohamed Diriye, but I am known as “Dirios”. Back when I was in school my mother once asked me, Son what are you studying? I told her hoyo (mother) I am studying the lands and mountains of Italy! She then asked “Do you know any lands and mountains of your own land”? That question appalled me, and I will never forget that question, (shaking his head).


You know I grow up in era when we were colonized by Italians. It was not only that, but it was also cultural colonizism, or as you guys call it identity crisis. The Italians controlled everything from culture to clothing’s. We did what the Italians asked us to do. But after my mother’s question, I went back to my roots, studying and researching about my country. Learning every piece and shape of my land; I even went into the forests to study the origins and culture of my people. Upon learning these things, I also taught myself how to preserve certain items. This is when I developed the love of art. I always loved art of course, but this knowledge, gave me a path to follow.
You know, I love to learn, and then you can teach. Ever since I finished my school I always loved to learn more and also teach if I ever had an opportunity, and this what I am doing is my redemption. When I was working for Columbus Board of Education I saw our kids (Somali) were missing something; they lost the value and understanding of their own culture. So I started to dedicate myself, and preserve the cultural items so kids who never had a chance can have a chance to view these items. My goal is to build a strong bridge between our culture and our kids.
You know what makes America great? It’s not its technology, or workforce but people or should I say diversity, that’s what makes America great, if America didn’t allow anyone here, it will never reach this greatness. So in order for us not lose our culture we need to copy those cultures that were here before us, preserve and collect our cultural items, so later on when we all are gone, our kids can see what their forefathers made or do.
This is has been my dream. I love my job and I am proud of what I do. Today at weddings some people come to me and ask for traditional dress or kids came in the museum and ask about some items, this makes me feel more than happy and I thank God for what I am doing. I know in my heart I make a difference. You know I am the only person who operates Somali museum in Ohio. We are not that well known but to me it’s not about the money; it’s the knowledge that is available in this small room. You see my computer I have thousands of pictures and posters, it will take you days to view them all. I would love to publish all this or put them in poster and distribute to people, but even if I started today I will not see my achievement in my life time. You I am an old man now, soon I will be gone and it’s up to you guys younger people to pass this legacy on.
I will tell you something. Life is about 3 things ok, and I will explain what they mean. One is building a family, basically having a family. Second is grow a tree, you know in science a tree is a real product, and real product will produce another real product. So this means you need a real job in life something that worth a value, job that can reproduce, just like a tree. Last value is write a book, this does mean have a pen and book and write a story, but it means pass on your knowledge and shares it with people just like a book. To me that’s what life is is about. And I love what I do, some people might think I am doing such a boring job, but I enjoy every minute that I am in this museum. Sometimes I even forget to eat. But wallahi (swear) I don’t make a lot of money I invest it all, all this items here worth more than 500,000 thousand, but I will never sell them. Even though I don’t have a penny in my pockets today (laughs). My goal is to pass on the knowledge, profit and money making I have done those for long, but today I feel like a millionaire in my heart because of what I know and what I do.