Mariam Mohamed

Mariam wears a Dirac, a Somali dress with a loose, flowing cut in bright fabric. Somali women wear it for weddings, celebrations, and special occasions. It is one of the best-known pieces of Somali dress.

Beside her is a Dabqaad, an incense burner. Incense such as uunsi goes inside to scent the clothes and the room. Somali families use one before weddings and gatherings, and the scent is part of the welcome.

For Mariam, the dress and the scent are Somali culture worn and shared.

MARIAM MOHAMED · DIRAC, SOMALI PEOPLE, SOMALIA · MINNESOTA · ARCHIVE NOTE, 2026