The Gaas Collective is excited to announce that "MAANDEEQ" is officially available fot purchase! This special anthology features poetry from Somali poets from all over the world, and it celebrates Somali culture, resilience, and creativity. The collection is named "Maandeeq"—the revered she-camel symbolizing completion, blessings, unity, and abundance in Somali tradition.
It is a historic collection of poetry, the first ever diasporic compilation of Somali works, featuring poetry from all over the world. We invite you to celebrate this historic collection with us, and purchase your copy here! Your purchase of this book helps us on our mission of elevating the creative voices of those who too often go unheard. Buy your copy today and take an inside look on the global experiences of Somali poets, a people who hail from the nation of poets.
We would like to extend our gratitude to all of the poets who shared their work in this book, your words shaped this collection and have the power to shape the world. And we would like to thank our cover artist Wasima Farah, who brilliantly captured the feeling of this book in her art.
Thank you for your continued support. Buy your copy of Maandeeq Here!
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Welcome to The Gaas Collective!
We are a Seattle-based literary nonprofit and publisher, dedicated to uplifting the creative voices of marginalized people. A space for creative writing—a home for literature and expression rooted in identity, resistance, and remembrance. Our mission is to celebrate and elevate powerful storytelling, rooted in the unique tradition of Somali poetry, where poetry is more than just art, it's a means of self expression, building community, solving conflicts, preserving history, healing, and connection.
We view poetry and creative writing as a tool for social change, our mission is to highlight the voices of poets using this tool, and to equip those without it. Through poetry, we honor different cultures, hold space for truth, and uplift narratives that deserve to be heard. By curating and sharing these voices, we’re not only creating space—we’re building an archive. An evolving record of stories, truths, and dreams that deserve to be remembered.
We believe in the power of language to preserve culture, spark connection, and inspire change. Through curated features and creative collaborations, we’re building a space where art meets purpose, and where every voice has the chance to resonate. We invite you to submit your work and become part of our growing community of published writers, where your voice can be heard and your stories celebrated.
Our Core Programs
Our Mission in Action
The Gaas Collective creates spaces where writers, poets, and performers can share their voices, explore their creativity, and connect with communities. Through our core programs, we foster literacy, cultural expression, and artistic growth for youth and adults alike.
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1. Poetry Workshops
We bring poetry to life through interactive workshops in schools and community organizations. Students and participants:
Learn to write, revise, and perform original poetry
Explore Somali poetic traditions and contemporary forms
Build confidence, literacy, and public speaking skills
Participate in a supportive, creative environment
Formats include: single-day workshops, multi-week residencies, and after-school programs. Contact thegaascollective@gmail.com to explore options
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2. Live Events & Open Mics
We host live events where creativity meets community. Our open mics and performances:
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Showcase emerging poets and writers
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Provide performance opportunities for workshop participants
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Connect audiences with diverse literary voices
Events are welcoming, dynamic, and designed to amplify underrepresented voices.
Event updates and details can be found on our social media pages @thegaascollective (Instagram, TikTok)
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3. Writing Competitions
Our writing competitions celebrate emerging voices, encouraging writers to experiment, reflect, and share their work. Participants gain:
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Opportunities to have their work recognized and published
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Certain competitions offer cash prizes
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Feedback from experienced writers and curators
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Experience navigating real-world writing and submission processes
Competition call for submissions are made periodically and are announced on our social media pages.
4. Publications
Publications are the culmination of everything we do:
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Anthologies, curated collections, and digital publications (view our published works tab to read some of our digital publications!)
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Featuring work from workshop participants, competition winners, and emerging voices
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A platform to amplify underrepresented writers and preserve creative expression
Through publishing, The Gaas Collective celebrates the full journey: from learning and creating, to performing and refining, to sharing work with a broader audience. Publications vary, some anthologies are made from writing workshops done with schools and youth organizations, others are made from work we periodically collect from submissions.
Get Involved!
Whether you want to host a workshop, participate in a competition, perform at an event, or submit your work for publication, contact us at thegaascollective@gmail.com to join The Gaas Collective community.
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Get In Touch!
Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries or collaborations. Kindly leave your name, email, and as detailed of a message as possible. Thank you!