Suubi is one of the most lively BeadforLife groups. When they come to sell beads, there is always a lot of laughter, singing and dancing. This despite the fact that they came together as strangers and had to weave a strong community over time.
Suubi recently finished their business training course and had gathered to receive certificates of completion. As we called each woman (and two men) up to receive their certificate, the group would cheer with appreciation and the woman would sashay up with a small dance, shaking her hips to the delight of the group.
Suubi’s playfulness was evident as they started to sing a different song for each member that stepped forward – a song was from whatever tribe that woman was from. This one was Mutooro from the east, and they sang her tribal song. The next one Acholi from the north, and again the song changed. A Luyankoli woman danced to her tribal rhythm with her arms over her head. At one point a slender woman came forward and someone cried “Congo.” Clear voices began a song they knew would be familiar to their friend who is a refugee from the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
I marveled not only that they knew each others’ tribes, but that they also knew songs from all of those tribes and languages. It would be as if those of us from Washington could sing the song of people from North Dakota. But mostly I smiled to see the embodiment of the incredible diversity of the group and the fact that, despite differences of tribe, language, and sometimes country, they were clearly a family.
Devin Hibbard
Devin is the Co-Executive Director of BeadforLife.
She lives in Uganda with her husband, Mark, and son, Simmy.
Tags: BeadforLife, Kampala, Suubi, Uganda