Kakuma Culture: Home away from Home

 On June 11th, Kakuma Sound, which is an organization that organizes traditional events for refugees , organized a cultural festival for both refugees and the host communities to showcase their talents through traditional dances and songs. Through this event which is organised annually, both the refugees and host communities learn from each other, share stories and experiences, thus appreciate one another and coexist peacefully. It is generally an attempt to promote social cohesion in a culturally diverse and displacement context.

For refugees, however, it is a ceremony that reminds them of home (their countries of origin), and a way through which they keep their cultures alive in contexts where they might be faced with the pressure to adopt the culture of their hosts or assimilate. It is also a moment where they come together as a community to appreciate the cultural diversity within the camp. For the young ones who are born in the camp, the event is an opportunity to learn about the cultures of their parents, thus develop an identity.

The event is also graced by Kenyan artists, who use the platform to nurture and mentor the talented artists from the refugee community living in the Kakuma refugee camp. For example, this year's cultural festival was attended by musicians Juliani and Eric Wainaina who spent three days in Kakuma meeting and talking to the talented refugees on how they can hone their skills.

Somali refugee woman in traditional attire. 

Congolese refugee dancer in with a traditional drum.

Burundian refugee drumming group.

Dance group from South Sudan in traditional attire. 

Refugee girls' dance group from Rwanda.

Refugee girls' dance group from Ethiopia.

Refugee dance group from South Sudan.

Burundian refugee in traditional men's clothing.

Refugee women from Somalia in traditional attire.

Women dance group from the host community of Turkana.