Tumaini Festival, inspired by adversity

For many, Tumaini Festival passes as just another event in the normal entertainment calendar. But it may not be the case for the host community at Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa District.

One of the community members, Elevazio Gerena, says when the time for the festival comes, they feel loved as normally their plight as refugees is not often considered.

“It is not a normal life being at the camp. Sometimes we feel isolated and it is hard. But when this event comes and you see all these people around here, it brings a special feeling. We feel part of their world and normal life,” she said.  

What the event offers is a unique experience that is enjoyed by all who patronise it. There is hardly a festival which is domesticated in a refugee camp world over. And none of such magnitude which is hosted free of charge.

Talk of live music performances, talent workshops, film screenings, drama, acrobatics, sports and dance, the festival offers it all in abundance. Above everything else, it is a platform which is most ideal for cultural exchange. 

For nine years, the annual Tumaini Festival has been offering a unique experience which is not attainable in normal circumstances. When he inauguratedthe festival at the time, Menes La Plume had a dream to better the lives of his fellow refugees and the host communities both economically and socially.

And today, he is proud of what the event has achieved: “We have learnt a lot from this festival and we are satisfied with its impact. We now want to have similar festivals in other countries.”

The feeling around the event this year was different. The refugees have had to endure a shaky atmosphere in the last seven months as regards the issues of settlement. Government took a stance to move all asylum seekers who were based outside the camp back to Dzaleka Refugee Camp.

The move has not been one that pleased the community in the camp. La Plume said that shadow had an effect on the festival this year.

He said: “This has been difficult for the refugees in a sense that few refugees who were based outside the camp and trying to make ends meet were forcibly brought back to the camp. This place was established to only have 10 000 to 15 000 people.

“But today we have more than 52 000 people living here. So, that has been difficult for the community. Those issues have inspired us to have the festival. This year the event has been more significant than any other because it has given back smiles and joy to the people in the camp.”

The festival organiser said the event has also been used to build bridges between refugees and the host communities.

La Plume said the event has a far reaching impact on the community in the camp on an economic and social level. He said the festival offers the people to do business and creates jobs for people.

“Before these people become refugees, they leave everything behind. They are broken. When they come in, they have so much going on in their minds. And the camp offers its hardships as well. The event helps the refugees to heal mentally.

“The event promotes a social cohesion between refugees and host communities. You see people making connections and becoming friends and changing perceptions in the way they see refugees. And culturally we can also see how people are learning from each other,” he said. 

The event curator said after nine years, they are looking at how they can become sustainable as an organisation to move from depending on donor funding.

He said: “This is a free festival whereby we don’t make any money. The money we raise goes into the production of the event. Our dream is to have our own equipment.”