Abiba Biao photo
Dancing to the sounds of Sudanese music.
Kallou Gindeel knew how to get the crowd moving. As traditional Sudanese music played from the speakers behind him, attendees around the room joined to form a conga line.
Propelled by the rhythmic drum and strings, the line quickly turned into traditional Sudanese dancing from the Nuba Tribe of South Sudan. Women launched into a flurry of movements, stomping on the floor with one foot each. As people gathered around to cheer them on, others from all nationalities and cultures joined in on the fun.
Music, dance, and celebration took place as 175 people celebrated World Refugee Day last Saturday at Shalom United Church of Christ at 323 Temple St. The celebration was held in collaboration with nonprofits New International Hope for Refugees and Immigrants, Elena’s Light, Refugee Congress, Havenly, and Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (IRIS).
While World Refugee Day falls on June 20, festivities are not exclusive to that day, with organizations and groups celebrating all throughout the month of June, said Kelly Bee, public relations and advocacy manager at IRIS.
Jane Kinity: “We want our voice heard.”
For Jane Kinity, founder and executive director of New International Hope of Refugees and Immigrants, creating safe spaces for refugees has been a major motivation behind her work. She emphasized the importance of employment opportunities and community support for refugees.
A refugee from Kenya, Kinity came to America in 2000 and has been advocating for refugee rights since. Before starting her own nonprofit, Kinity volunteered with IRIS for 15 years. She also serves as Democratic co-chair of Ward 2 working alongside Alder Frank Douglass, and has been a Connecticut delegate for the Refugee Congress for three years.
“We all want [to] help refugees in every community where they are,” she said. “We want our voice heard.”
Before heading up to perform, Ukrainian singer Olichka took a picture with Mila Cale, and Zhanna Pylypchuk behind a display of Motanka dolls. Motanka dolls are handmade traditional Ukrainian dolls which date back to over 2,000 years. The dolls, made by Pylypchuk, represent women at different life stages and occupations. The funds generated from Montanka sales go toward Ukrainian charities.
Although her daytime job is in finance, Olichka performs on the weekends to help with fundraising efforts for Ukrainian soldiers and buying medical supplies. Having family back home, Olichka views her music as a medium to create change and inspire “hope and love.”
“I have all of my family pretty much there. It’s tough,” she said. “They have to pretty much hide every night because of the missiles flying… and so whatever I can do to help them [I do].”
Her setlist included Ukrainian folk songs and songs that focus on independence, peace, and the unbreakable spirit and unity of Ukrainian people.
Svetlana Maskvitch and Pylypchuk.
Later, Pylypchuk got a chance to share her creations with the audience. As Pylypchuk spoke in Ukrainian, Svetlana Maskvitch translated, explaining the meaning behind the dolls.
“Each Motanka, each dress has a history and a soul,” Maskvitch said, while Pylypchuk held up a Montanka that had sentimental meaning to her.
With Ukraine having a population of over 42 million people with different regional differences, Maskvitch said that Pylypchuk felt that she had much inspiration to make dolls based on each region’s traditional attire.
Educational display containing food and artifacts of the Nuba people of Sudan.
In the back of the room were educational displays on different cultures, traditions, and customs. This display referenced the Nuba people of Sudan, a group of Indigenous people who live in the Nuba Mountains of South Kordofan, located in the central part of the country.
Across the table was an assortment of spices used in Nuba cuisine like sesame butter and millet, as well as traditional tableware and decor.
Gindeel, who was a speaker at the event, is a proud member of the Nuba community. He said he seeks to create a stronger community for the people of the Nuba Tribe in Connecticut and amplify Sudanese culture.
Before arriving in America, he spent time in a refugee camp in Egypt. Now, after living in the U.S. for three years, he hopes to give back and strengthen support for refugees seeking asylum and increase the opportunities to be welcomed.
“Our heart and our mind is still in Africa,” he said. “We’re still looking for our brothers and sisters and neighbors that are still suffering there.”
Standing proudly behind his collection of traditional Afghan carvings was Mosa Sadat, which caught the eye of Nranwar Tiea who struck up conversation.
Originally from Afghanistan, Sadat, 30, has spent the past 15 years turning to the arts, carving jewelry boxes and making wooden furniture. Sadat noted that their favorite wood carving style was Nurisanti carving, which originated in the Afghanistan city of Nuristan. One of his most notable and favorite projects was when he used to create wooden chairs from Nurisanti carving.
For Sadat, the creative process is nothing less than rewarding. He is also well-versed in Classical and Jolly wood carving styles from Afghanistan and creates his boxes using a wide variety of wood such as walnut, cherry, and rosewood.
“When I do carvings they take hours, hours, [and] hours,” he said, “but I like to do it because I take energy from that.”
It’s this creative energy that drew Tiea to his table. Living in the U.S. for almost 25 years, Tiea still makes his way to support the local refugee community. Using his immigration experience, Tiea said he hopes to ease the burden to newcomers.
“At the very beginning, it’s always hard. When you come to a new country you don’t know the language, you don’t know the culture, you don’t know who to go to, but you have to start from scratch,” he said.”It’s a long journey. That’s why we always come over here to support the refugees, especially the new ones.”
Tiea left Sudan before the country separated in 2011 from South Sudan’s secession, but recently visited family back home two years ago. He noted that he had a pleasant time and recalled the inviting demeanor of people, the natural beauty of the land, and the fun his kids had playing in the countryside.
“No matter where you go, home is home,” he said.