The Tumaini Festival in Malawi, held in the Dzaleka Refugee Camp, highlights hope and unity. Through art and culture, refugees and locals come together to celebrate resilience, foster understanding, and build a vibrant community amid adversity.
At the Tumaini Festival in Malawi, in East Africa, a 72-year-old singer, sporting tinted hair, oversized sunglasses, and a vibrant tracksuit, made her way onto the main stage, eliciting a wave of excitement from the crowd. “Who am I?” she asked the audience of approximately 12,000, who enthusiastically responded, “I am Jetu!” Tumaini, touted as the world's only music festival held in a refugee camp, took place from Thursday, October 31, to Saturday, November 2, bringing together refugees and locals through music, art, and crafts.
Located just outside Malawi's capital, Lilongwe, the Dzaleka Refugee Camp was repurposed from a prison into a refuge for those fleeing conflicts in the Great Lakes region since 1994. Initially designed for 10,000 residents, the camp now houses over 60,000 individuals from countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, and Somalia.
Connection, Hope, and Culture
Jetu, a great-grandmother, expressed her gratitude after performing, saying, “Not many people my age get to go on stage and perform to such a crowd. I am really grateful.” The festival, founded by Congolese poet Menes La Plume, attracts artists and visitors not only from across Malawi but also from neighboring countries like South Africa and Zimbabwe. Menes describes Tumaini as more than just an event; it serves as a vital platform for connection, hope, and cultural exchange. “
This is a unique space where refugees and locals celebrate each other's cultures and demonstrate their resilience,” he stated. “Tumaini is proof that art and humanity can thrive even in the most challenging circumstances.”
Youth-Led Initiative
This year's festival was notably organized by the camp's youth, many of whom were born there, according to festival manager Tammy Mbendera. She highlighted their efforts, saying, “It is inspiring to see these young kids do this. The crowd is happy, the people of the festival are happy, the people within the camp are happy. Everybody feels like they have been listened to.”
South African artist Maveriq Mavo, who performed on the festival's final night, expressed his emotional connection to the initiative. "Some things, you don't do for the money, you do them for the cause. That is why I am here," he said, noting that he composed a song dedicated to the refugees. “It is about time we say thank you to Malawi because not every country is taking refugees,” he added.
Bridging Divides
The festival featured a diverse lineup, including Malawi's leading hip-hop artist Mfumu Hyphen and Vankson Boy V, a Congolese refugee. Boy V expressed pride in showcasing his talent at Tumaini. Festival attendee Yasintha Kanyoza praised the event for fostering interaction between refugees and Malawians. “I feel Tumaini gives a chance for both sides to interact and understand each other better,” she remarked, emphasizing how the festival humanized refugees, who are often portrayed negatively.
With AFP
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