The White Nile

A Sudanese woman, Ajak Kwai, descendent of the Dinka Bor people from the south, graced the Mother of God Primary School in Ardeer with her presence courtesy of The Song Room. A singer and storyteller, she danced, laughed, lectured, drummed and sang the children far away, to a place where Kororoit Creek flows into the White Nile.

Some Sudanese mothers timidly watched as their children joined the chanting with pride (and giggles). Ajak explained to me in the staff room that many Sudanese women in Australia know nothing or very little about the music sung by their people or their culture in general, having sometimes spent twenty years or more in refugee camps in Kenya and other neighbouring countries of Sudan. That the rhythms Ajak teaches us can drum the Sudanese children back to their roots, or at least forget about Ardeer for a fraction of a second, makes today's performance a lesson in time travel. With great authority, wit and musicality, Ajak shared not only her skills, but something about what it means to settle and resettle, to lose and gain ground, with Mother of God Primary School Children who are all searching for ways to express similar sentiments. When it is time to leave and we have said our thanks to Ajak, Ardeer looks less dry and Sunshine a little brighter.

[links to some material recorded today are to follow]