🌟 Introduction
Saylac is one of the oldest coastal towns in Somaliland, rich in history, culture, and untold stories. Despite its historical importance, much of Saylac's heritage remains undocumented and under-promoted. As part of our commitment to community development and cultural preservation, Awdal Development Fund (ADF) supported the production of a special video to showcase the hidden treasures of this ancient city through a popular digital platform.
🎯 Why We Focused on Saylac
Cultural heritage is a powerful tool for education, identity, and economic opportunity. By highlighting historic places like Saylac, we aim to:
- Preserve cultural memory
- Promote tourism and local pride
- Support creative content that educates the public
- Create awareness of Somaliland's history
- Encourage youth engagement in heritage preservation
⚠️ Challenges Facing Historic Sites in Awdal
Many heritage areas across Awdal face serious challenges, including:
- Lack of documentation and digital promotion
- Minimal investment in tourism infrastructure
- Limited public awareness
- Deterioration of ancient buildings and sites
- Poor accessibility and visibility at national level
🚀 Our Intervention
ADF sponsored well-known YouTuber Geedi Sahan to travel to Saylac and produce a high-quality documentary-style video highlighting:
- Historic locations and ruins
- Cultural stories passed through generations
- Daily life in a historic coastal town
- The potential of Saylac as a tourism destination
This digital storytelling approach allows our heritage to reach both local and international audiences through online platforms.
📊 Impact
This initiative has contributed to:
- Increased online visibility of Saylac
- Growing interest in heritage tourism
- Preservation through digital documentation
- Youth awareness and pride in history
- A new audience learning about Somaliland's past
✨ Key Takeaways
- Heritage is development
- Digital media amplifies cultural identity
- Youth and content creators are powerful agents of change
- Tourism begins with awareness
- History should be told by our own voices
💡 Closing Thoughts
Preserving our past is protecting our future. ADF remains committed to showcasing Awdal's heritage and empowering young voices to tell our stories. Saylac is not just an ancient town—it is a living history that deserves to be seen, heard, and celebrated.