CAMEL MEAT AND TAPES

Camel Meat & Tapes is an intergenerational exploration of what it means to be a Somali woman in Bristol today. Over the course of six months, Ismail and members of Bristol’s Somali communities have researched and discussed a rich oral history that transcends borders – experiencing the early 80s and onward via cassette tapes posted between family and friends. These tapes became a valuable vessel for the diaspora communicate with families they were forced to leave behind – sharing stories ranging from day to day events, to intimacies of private life. Following their six months of residency with Arnolfini as part of the City Fellows programme, and the generous sharing of cassette tapes still held by Bristol’s Somali community, Ismail and collaborators are now opening their doors to share some of their research with you. Ismail and collaborators have used the tape recordings to create a 360-degree soundscape that will envelop and surround you in the musicality of Somali women, whilst exploring the tensions of communication between multiple landscapes. Your feedback and responses will be invaluable as these artists continue to develop their work. This sharing will be held by the creative producers of the project – Fozia Ismail, Asmaa Jama and Ayan Cilmi. Ismail and her team would also like to acknowledge their co-producers Fadumo, Suad, Samiye, Anab, Qasmina and Amina.

A thank you to Khalil, Muna, Kieran Swann, Letty Clarke, Ben Thomas and Black South West Network. Camel Meat and Tapes was developed as part of Arnolfini’s City Fellows – new work co-created by artists and communities, with the support of Paul Hamlyn Foundation.