Unlocking the Past through the Archivio Somalia and the Centro Studi Somali: From Preservation to Restitution

The essay examines the historical, cultural, and political complexities associated with the conservation and accessibility of Somali archives, placing emphasis on ongoing initiatives and endeavours, notably with digitisation. It delves into the significance of the Archivio Somalia project, and the pivotal role played by the Centro di Studi Somali, based at Roma Tre University from 2010 to 2023. Both entities have assumed a critical function in the preservation, dissemination, and facilitation of access to information concerning Somali heritage thereby contributing to research and community engagement. Given their financial backing from the Italian government, the projects are linked to the endeavour for the restitution of Somali documents to the community in the aftermath of the colonial period and its enduring repercussions, exacerbated by the losses incurred during the civil war after the fall of Mohammed Siad Barre in 1991. The documents in the Archivio Somalia collection range from the late 1800s to today.