A cultural heritage for national liberation? The Soviet-Somali historical expedition, Soviet African studies, and the Cold War in the Horn of Africa

ABSTRACT

This paper discusses the conception, execution, and outcomes of the first Soviet-Somali histori-cal expedition, in 1971. In due course, the Soviet-Somali Expedition set out to create a ‘usable past’ for Somali nationalism, rooted in the history of Mohammad Abdullah Hassan, a reli-gious and military leader who had fought against the British in Somaliland between 1900 and 1920. The paper investigates how Soviet ideas about the preservation of historical heritage were grounded in Central Asian modes of practice and how these became internalised by Soviet Africanists in their attempts to help reinforce foundational myths in newly independent African states. The paper argues that the Soviet model for the preservation of cultural heritage, as envisioned by Soviet Africanists, aimed to reinforce Siad Barre’s national project for Somalia. Their efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, however, because of Cold War constraints and mis-understandings of local realities.

KEYWORDS:

• Soviet Union
• Africa
• Somalia
• UNESCO
• Cold War

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1. Transcript of the Third IAS Coordination Meeting, 23–24 April 1962, 136.

2. Transcript of IAS Scientific Council Meeting, 4 September 1964.

3. Transcript of the IAS Scientific Council Meeting, 28 April 1967, 21.

4. Transcript of the IAS Scientific Council Meeting, 3 July 1970, 93.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship.

Notes on contributors

Natalia Telepneva

Dr. Natalia Telepneva is a Lecturer in International History at the University of Strathclyde. Her main research lies in the history of the Soviet Union and the Cold War, especially in Portuguese-speaking Africa. She has published in the Journal of Cold War Studies, the Journal of Southern African Studies, and a number of edited volumes. She is currently finishing a monograph, entitled ‘Cold War Liberation: The Soviet Union and the Collapse of Portuguese Empire in Africa, 1961-1975’. Her current project looks at the Soviet modernisation initiatives and everyday experiences of socialism in Guinea-Bissau.