The Women’s Meeting – Clapping, Colour and Culture!

                               The Women’s Meeting – Clapping, Colour and Culture!

Last week, we held our first community sensitisation event working on the foundations laid by the last cohort. As only the second group to work with SWOPA, the last cohort worked hard to build bonds and a name for ICS in the Sirigu community, and their work really showed itself in the fantastic turnout we had at the event. 

The event called all women members of SWOPA in for a very vibrant and active meeting which aimed to discuss any potential issues they have faced and how they wish to progress with the organisation. The women’s members are the talented arts and craft producers situated in five different communities all over Sirigu, who have actively been creating traditional products for SWOPA over the past 20 years. SWOPA’s main aim as an organisation is to empower women to help alleviate their own poverty and create a stable income for themselves and their families. SWOPA offers free training in the areas of pottery, basket weaving, painting and fabric tie and dye, as well as a means of selling those products in their art gallery. 

Based on the last cohort’s research, we knew what issues the members wanted to address, and it was amazing to see people from separate communities put their differences aside and unite over their passion for arts, and more importantly, their dedication to the progression of SWOPA as a cultural centre within the community. 

The meeting had a turnout of over 60 people and was a surprising and humbling experience for everyone, especially the UK volunteers. Our introduction to the meeting was being welcomed by songs and synchronised clapping, which inevitably escalated into dance. As we’re lucky enough to have three Frafra (the local Sirigu language) speakers as in-country volunteers, they were able to keep the meeting running smoothly without the need for translators. Once the women were seated and settled, Love, our own chairwomen, welcomed and thanked them all for making the effort to come. 

The first half of the meeting consisted of set questions being asked that had arisen as issues from the last cohort's research, and the responses from the women were engaged, thoughtful and constantly reaffirming their dedication to help make any improvements to SWOPA. Moving onto the first interlude, the women one by one literally jumped their way to the front of the room to perform fantastic dances to the rhythm of the other women’s clapping and singing. The dances illustrated allegorical stories with the most beautiful meanings.

The first dance was the Sinyaga local dance, traditionally performed by the women in honour of the founder of SWOPA, Madame Melanie Kasise. It tells the story of how the community has been married by a good women, and their artworks symbolise their children who will bring countless joy and blessing for them in the future. Another powerful dance performed was the Leopard dance. This one gives the inspirational message to all that regardless of what you look like or how fate has treated you, if you have hope you will prosper. Even if you have the clawed hands of a leopard you can still make something beautiful in the end!

                                               ( Madam Melanie Kasise, founder of SWOPA)

The day continued similarly with important questions being answered, and again lots of singing and dancing! It was a really beautiful day for everybody involved and a massive stepping stone towards the sustainability of the organisation. 

For all volunteers the whole day really highlighted the importance of organisations like ICS, and reminded us of who we’re helping and why we’re really here. The beauty and strength of the community, combined with the kindheartedness of all the individuals we’ve come across in Sirigu is just overwhelming. Seeing the authentic cultural traditions come to life during the meeting was an experience beyond any other, and we will do all we can to preserve this culture and empower these women through SWOPA over the next 6 weeks and more! – Thea and Talia