Soomaaliya: A Cookbook
Ifrah F. Ahmed
(Hardie Grant, 2026) 

SAT. 9/26 | 3:30 PM—FREDERICK D. THOMAS MIDDLE SCHOOL

In Somali culture, knowledge is traditionally passed down orally – through songs, stories, recipes, and more. But what happens when that transmission is interrupted? The Somali Civil War began in 1991; the next 30 years saw a mass migration out of Somalia, painfully disrupting the transfer of culture. In Soomaaliya: A Cookbook, Ahmed reclaims the story of her country through its history, food, and people. From Somalia’s role in the spice trade to the relics of Italian colonial rule, here is a celebration of the richness of Somali food and the resilience of its people. 

This event is presented in partnership with Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice (SDARJ).

About the Author
Ifrah F. Ahmed is a Somali-born writer, chef, recipe developer, and artist whose work centers on food, history, memory, and migration. She is a regular contributor to The New York Times and has written for many other national publications, sharing recipes and stories. Ahmed lives with her family in New York City.

Purchase the book
Please help support local independent bookstores by purchasing this book at Browseabout Books, official bookseller of the History Book Festival. Online sources and digital versions are tempting; however, supporting local brick and mortar shops helps to preserve our vibrant main streets. Drop by Browseabout, order books online, or call the store at 302-226-2665. You also may purchase a copy at biblion in Lewes.

About Conversation Partner
Adenike Marie Davidson is the Dean of the College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences at Delaware State University, where she also serves as Professor of English and Program Director of Women's and Gender Studies. She researches literary traditions, feminist theory, and the intersections of race, gender, and identity.

About the Festival
The History Book Festival is the first and only book festival in the United States devoted exclusively to history. With the help of our presenting funding partner —  The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices | PenFed Realty — as well as our program and community partners, volunteers, and donors, the 2026 History Book Festival will be full of great discussions with authors of newly published narrative nonfiction and historical fiction. 

Thanks to all our donors, especially our education and outreach funding partners: Carolyn & Aaron Nayer, Jen Mason & Clare Hancock, the Red Wagon Foundation, and Browseabout Books. HBF authors visit classrooms in Delaware, and HBF provides their books to schools, libraries, and community organizations.

Our Keynote event is presented by Griswold Home Care for Sussex & Kent Counties and Groome Church; our Closing event is presented by the Delaware Community Foundation. The Spirited Discussion, our gathering for attendees and presenters to celebrate and discuss their day, is presented by Dogfish Head Beer & Benevolence. The authors' welcome reception is made possible by Half Full and Historic Lewes, while their Saturday reception is made possible by Ronald Collins and Susan Cohen

Special thanks to our Program Partners for their continuing support: the Lewes Public Library for event promotion and production; Browseabout Books in Rehoboth Beach, official bookseller of the History Book Festival; and Historic Lewes for event promotion and author hospitality. Thanks also to the Lewes Chamber of Commerce for event promotion, and the Cape Gazette and Delmarva Public Media, our media partners.