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UNESCO-supported Cultural Festival catalyzes social cohesion at Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya
This pilot program aims to promote resilience, social cohesion, and cultural diversity in refugee camps, with a focus on raising awareness on the safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, preserving traditional musical practices, and enhancing understanding among communities. The festival and performances created an unforgettable fusion of music and dance that resonated with the audience.
Amidst the usually calm surroundings of the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Turkana County, located in the semi-arid region of North-western Kenya, a newfound energy reverberated through the town, infusing it with a vibrant atmosphere. The pulsating captivating beat of giant traditional drums, enchanting melodies, rhythmic rapid dance moves and the dazzling display of vibrant traditional attire characterized the second edition of the Kakuma Sound Cultural Festival. The festival, whose theme was Conserving the Past; Composing the Future was held on 11 June 2023, at the Okapi Field at the heart Kakuma Refugee camps in Kenya.
The much-awaited eight-hour extravaganza left the audience excited and inspired. The star-studded line-up boasted renowned Kenyan hip-hop artists, Eric Wainaina and Juliani, both known for their socially conscious lyrics. They skilfully blended the local traditional beats and dance into their giant hit songs "Nchi ye kitu kidogo" and "Utawala," respectively. Their electrifying performances, complete with Juliani’s signature head-shaking move, served as the festival's grand finale, accompanied by a remarkable ensemble of both contemporary and traditional musicians from the camp.
The stage came alive as more than fourteen community groups and over 25 talented acts took their place, captivating an audience of over two thousand people. It was a true melting pot of cultures, showcasing the rich tapestry of tangible and intangible cultural heritage present within the camps. The air resonated with an array of captivating sounds from traditional instruments such as kongers, Djembes, mbira, shakers, drums, and lyres, proudly on display. Each community, driven by a spirited sense of competition, poured their hearts into their performance. The participating groups hailed from diverse communities including South Sudan, Congo, Nuer, Equatoria, Darfur, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Uganda, and upper Nile, and were joined by Turkana host communities, fostering an atmosphere of societal unity, cohesion and celebration.
Before the festival commenced, the musicians dedicated several days to jamming, exploring and recording a blend of traditional and contemporary sounds. Furthermore, on Saturday, June 10th, a brief enlightening session loosely titled "Traditional and Contemporary Arts - Exploring opportunities, Possibilities, and Challenges" was convened with selected community leaders, and top local performers, led by Eric Wainaina and Juliani. The session provided a remarkable opportunity for direct interaction with the artists and served as a platform to discuss the development of initiatives such as exchange programs, capacity building, and the establishment of platforms to showcase the exceptional talent residing in Kakuma.
Among other distinguished guests mainly from partner organisations such as UNHCR and FilmAid, the festival was graced by Ms. Amoni Triza, Chief Cultural Officer for Tourism and Culture of the Turkana Government. In her remarks, she expressed the county’s gratitude to all partners of the festival, while inviting the Kakuma community to join the Turkana Cultural Festival slated for August 22 and 23, 2023.
Vibrant energetic, character, colorful, uplifting, beautiful, and a profound experience. No words, videos, or pictures can express the fullness of what I saw. I have performed soaked in rain, and now I can proudly say I have performed, high energy under the scorching hot sun.
The project, which is aimed at promoting the resilience of refugee communities through culture, is conceived in line with the guiding principles of the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, which encourages efforts to develop strong and vibrant cultural and creative industries, as well as UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Operational Directives to promote understanding of the intangible cultural heritage of different communities thereby contributing to intercultural dialogue and encourages mutual respect for alternative ways of life.
