Last week we gave you a taste of what Chef Afrik is bringing to the blogosphere. Today, she shares her take on the food traditions of the Horn, and why food matters. HL: In a few words who is Chef Afrik? CA: My name is Adhis and I am Chef Afrik. I am a young Kenyan...
Have you heard of Chef Afrik? We hope so. Chef Afrik caught our attention last week by featuring a full week dedicated to the Horn of Africa on her blog. Culinary anthropologist that she is, we were impressed by the breadth that Chef Afrik has covered in her exploration of cuisine from the Horn. She...
![[Chef Afrik's HORN WEEK]: Interview with Somali Cookbook author Barlin Ali](http://hornlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/barlinteachingsomalitea1-290x290.jpg "[Chef Afrik's HORN WEEK]: Interview with Somali Cookbook author Barlin Ali")
This interview was originally published by Chef Afrik Cookbook author Barlin Ali teaching one of her cooking classes (Photo courtesy of Somali Tea facebook) What do you know about Somali food? Unlike its neighbor Ethiopia, Somali food is not known worldwide. Barlin Ali chose to change that. In 1994, she embarked an a journey to release the...
I think of the Horn I think of the Horn, And I think of Colorful histories Inter-woven identities Inseparable humanities Superfluous dreams Untold stories I think of the Nile as it ebbs and flows Ras Dashen as it towers over the Denakil Assab & the shores of Mogadishu I think of civilization Prior to civilization...
Daily Life in Eritrea, by Swiatoslaw Wojtkowiak– courtesy of African Digital Art
When my sister and I were little girls, my mother would sing to us all the time. She would sing songs about home in Tigriyna and we would sing along. We would sing along regardless of the fact that we were messing up the words and possibly missing the meanings all together. Like many young Eritreans that I...
My name is Nebila Abdulmelik. I’m Muslim. African. Female. Ethiopian. Hareri. When I think of the Horn, I think of: colorful histories, inter-woven identities, inseparable humanities & superfluous dreams. I’ve been asked many ludicrous questions, among which are: “Do you consider yourself black?” “You’re not really African, are you?” “How come you’re not starving?” “Do...
Continuing the week with love, politics, and poetry, here is a summary of what seems to have been an amazing event featuring poets from the Horn of Africa. I don’t know about you all, but after reading this, we’re adding to our list of must-reads! This article was originally published in The Mantle by Shaun Randol On March...
One of a series of personal stories on the African experience(s) in America, as part of The UR4African Project. Thanks to Africa is a Country for bringing this series to our attention! cover image credit: Ezra Wube – mengedu5 oil on canvas
If there’s anything that we’ve learned from the past two weeks, it’s the power of storytelling. Reflecting on Kony2012, HornLight has a few thoughts on what we’ve learned, and what we’re thinking about moving forward. Yes, these pertain to you too, so pay attention! But also, tell us how you’re moving on, and what you’ve...
Filmmaker Abderrahmane Sissako’s meditation on Dignity, a short film commissioned by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and ART The World as part of their film project initiative on human rights.
When I think of the Horn, everything is magnified. It is a land of culture, beauty, tradition, loss, survival, heritage, landscapes, diversity, kindness, and colorful festive holidays. It is a wonderfully diverse way of life that is not talked about in western media. When I think of the Horn, I think of unity, love, kindness,...
One thing the past few weeks have taught us is that the east African community are letting their voices be heard through various outlets across the world. The response to Kony2012 is a testament to the richness and breadth in our perspectives as people engaging in issues that affect Africans. We want to hear from you, not just...
As you know, over the past few weeks, HornLight has been looking at the role of Africans in influencing the narratives of and about the Horn of Africa. It so happens that the dialogue around Kony2012 coincides with our theme; an opportunity for us to highlight Ugandan and other voices in this conversation. While HornLight’s...
Writer Dinaw Mengistu’s take on Kony2012. This article was originally published on Warscapes The doctrine of simplicity is always at war with reality. Our best, most human instincts of compassion and generosity, if they are to be meaningful, can’t come from a marketing campaign as simple, as base, as an advertisement for a soft drink...
Afripop compiles African responses to the Kony 2012 campaign. Check out these narratives and create your own! What do you think about Kony 2012? Tell us @HornLight or in our comments section. If you’ve been on any social media platform for the past two days, you’ll know the conversation has been dominated by the “Kony...
It’s hard to imagine that Abdi Roble, accomplished documentary photographer, first picked up a camera at the age of 28. Since then, he’s been perfecting his art for two decades, using photography to add nuance, depth, and complexity to the stories of the global Somali Diaspora. Through his organization the Somali Documentary Project, Roble captures...
Hiss, fuzz, and all that jazz. Further investigations into the sounds from the far east – Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, and Sudan. JOY. 1. Ibrahim Awad – Ya Zemen 2. Faadumo Qaasim & the Sharero Band – Yaan Cuskanaa 3. Sibret – Tigrinya Instrumental 4. Sharhabil Ahmed – The Girl 5. Mahmoud Ahmed 6. Ayele Mamo...
Just last week, we profiled Horn Relief, who has been working on the ground in Somalia (and nearby countries) for over 20 years. Here’s a press statement from Horn Relief and a number of other organizations involved in relief efforts in the country addressing the situation in Somalia. Press Statement on the Famine situation...
As of February 3rd, 2012, the United Nations has declared that the famine in Somalia is over. I raised my eyebrow at their short-sighted definition of “famine.” “….famine conditions are no longer present,” said a statement from the office of Mark Bowden, the U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia. Today’s hunger and food insecurity is a...
Growing up in a rural community in California posed special challenges for me socially and academically. Growing up, I juggled three identities: an immigrant child guided by traditional African values at home, a young black woman coming of age in a culturally diverse America, and a rural resident without much connection to either the immigrant...
Throughout the Horn of Africa, indigenous organizations are responding to the most pressing needs in their communities through culturally appropriate, contextually relevant, and innovative programs and services. While these organizations aren’t as widely recognized or visible as international agencies, they play a central role in providing essential services and building sustainable communities. One example is...
This week, we are continuing the theme of images and representation. Here is a photo-sets that focus on communities from the greater Horn of Africa. Photographer Alejandro Chaskelelberg takes pictures of the drought affected Turkana region in Northwest Kenya for Oxfam. What do you see when you compare these photos? Share your thoughts with us...
These best practices on how to portray famine without compromising the dignity of those affected are from the Imaging Famine conference that took place in London 2005. That may seem long ago, but these tips are still relevant and insightful. See the full list of tips here. Show people with dignity Don’t reduce survivors to...
While some institutions continue to employ conventional narratives of pity, crisis, and victimhood to raise funds and initiate action, others are doing things differently, turning the old paradigm on it’s head. For example, are the videos below by Mama Hope, a San Francisco-based nonprofit. As part of a campaign called “Stop the Pity. Unlock the...
In the previous post, photographer David Campbell makes an important point about imaging famine: 4. Famine is not a natural disaster, and photography needs to get to grips with this. While the fact East Africa is suffering the worst drought in 60 years provided the hook for most recent coverage, the disaster is not natural....
Photographer David Campbell does interesting work that analyzes how documentary photography, photojournalism, and media work. We appreciate the emphasis that Campbell puts on context, especially in the context of imaging famine. Campbell is also very open about discussing various aspects of photojournalism. This post, on his site is a follow-up to a debate on imaging...
Action Against Hunger makes a stride in thinking creatively about a humanitarian appeal. In its recent ad campaign, the organization used abstract concepts instead of the traditional images of starving children. Yes, we experienced a bit of cognitive disorientation with the pizza ad. Yes, we recognized the Ultimate Vodka sponsorship. What we’re commending here is...
Another view: The images of the Horn of Africa and other regions in Africa that are commonly displayed in some media outlets don’t begin to shed light on the complexities and humanity present in these places. Here’s another view: With the expansion of digital and social media, mainstream media and aid agencies no longer hold a...
In this post from the blog InnovateAfrica, the author comments on the misuse of imaging and photography for the sake of aid or charity. The post pushes us to think beyond the image of a subject to the perceptions of the subject and even that subject’s entire community. Here we go, again. Images of emaciated...
In this article, Rotimi Sankore critiques the common use of photos of children to raise funds. He argues that this trend of “development pornography” has contributed to deepening prejudice. We wanted to highlight this passage, but read the rest of the article if you want a more in-depth analysis by Sankore. “What development ‘pornography’ shows...
“When a Western charity makes an appeal for funds with the photo of a seemingly helpless African child, the Western donor is cast in the role of the strong, generous, and righteous person helping the lowly and needy. Strength, generosity, and righteousness are all good things, but I fear that an unrighteous pattern has developed....
Proponents of pornographic images often argue that shocking visuals are needed to compel people to act. We say otherwise. Surely, we can inform, communicate need and urgency, and mobilize without demeaning the humanity and dignity of subjects in question. As an example, check out how Somali artist K’naan and his manager Sol Guy do just...
Nicole Johnston, a photographer with Oxfam, traveled to Dadaab refugee camp for two weeks and captured images of resilience and hope. In this blog entry, she recounts her experience, sharing compelling tales of diversity, nuance, and context; components that are often missing from descriptions of this camp. Here is a quote from the blog that...
The images of the Horn of Africa and other regions in Africa that are commonly displayed in some media outlets don’t begin to shed light on the complexities and humanity present in these places. Here’s another view. A set of images from Somaliland, painting the complexity, humanity, and stunning aesthetics of a place that is...
“Reduced to nameless extras in the shadows behind Western aid workers or disaster tourists, the grieving, hurting and humiliated human beings are not asked if they want to be portrayed in this degrading way. Do pictures of Somalia show herdsmen tending large flocks of well-fed camels, or farmers cultivating ripening crops of sorghum and maize?...
Nicole Johnston, a photographer with Oxfam, traveled to Dadaab refugee camp for two weeks and captured images of resilience and hope. Her reflections on the experience emphasize to the complexities and humanity present in the camp. Read part of her piece here. In Johnston’s montage below, we are reminded that life goes on for the...
The Kamburu Story – A community-led response to climate change in Kenya from
The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA), a network of 14 Pan-African networks, was launched on December 4th, 2011 during closing of the 17th UN Conference on Climate Change, known as COP17. Members of AFSA, which include the African Biodiversity Network, Network of Farmers’ and Agricultural Producers’ Organizations of West Africa, and the Eastern...
This was originally published on Practical Action Blogs by Teresa Anderson New Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) launches to African beats It certainly wasn’t an event typically seen during the fortnight of UN climate negotiations here in Durban. An audience singing joyfully along with women farmers, Southern African youth grinning as they performed...
Interview with Chef Afrik
May 10, 2012
Introducing Chef Afrik
May 8, 2012
[Chef Afrik's HORN WEEK]: Interview with Somali Cookbook author Barlin Ali
May 8, 2012
I think of the Horn
Apr 27, 2012
Photoset: “Eritrea”– African Digital Art
Apr 25, 2012
sabrin
Apr 24, 2012
Nebila
Apr 17, 2012
Poetry from the Horn of Africa
Apr 12, 2012
Warsan versus Hornlight: Interview with poet Warsan Shire
Apr 10, 2012
yemeserach
Apr 6, 2012
Kony 2012 Reflections