Djibouti is an African country on the Horn of Africa. It is an important port city, and has historically been part of several states, most recently including France. Djibouti was France's last African colony to gain independence.

Djibouti is made up of two main ethnic groups: the Afar and the Issas , along with French, Yemeni, Arab and Somali citizens. Issa are culturally related to Somalis. Their oral traditions include an array of poetry and proverbs, much of it devoted to the lives of Sufi saints. "Miniature poetry", invented by a truck driver named Abdi Deeqsi , is well known; these are short poems (balwo ), mostly concerning love and passion. Afar oral literature is more musical, and comes in many varieties, including songs for weddings, war, praise and boasting.