RUUN research trailer (in progress)
Creative direction: Salman Dirir
Sound & music: Salman Dirir
RUUN is an on-going project with many iterations.
RUUN stands for truth in Somali.
In 2023 and 2024 I travelled to Somaliland. Inspired by Sada Mire’s book Divine Fertility I aspired to do research into the indigenous Somali culture. Which led me to Hargeisa, Laas Geel and Berbera. Truth by cultural nuances, personal experiences and the dynamic interweaving of stories. From banter on the streets and cafe’s to stories being told via traditional poetry forms and Buraanbur Ceremonies.
RUUN, is an ongoing project that is always open to changes.
The project consists of a video installation and dance performance named "RUUN," which means "truth" in Somali. This installation will be multidisciplinary, bringing together film, dance and music. It serves as a form of on-going research into the contemporary relationship to my environment and roots. Central to this is the redefinition, questioning and investigation of what truth means to me personally as someone from the former colonies whose bi-cultural background is connected to this in the West. The theme of alienation, which often recurs in my work, is also investigated. Various research questions are central, such as the influence of the past on the present and in which immersive ways movement can play a role in interdisciplinary work. Some sub-themes that my work addresses are; cultural erasure, the preservation of cultural heritage, the projection of one's worldview and images that have emerged since 9/11. In Somaliland I have done research on the indigenous and mainly pre-Islamic cultural traditions. This is to prevent the knowledge and information of our ancestors from being lost. Because I see great value in sharing this knowledge and information with the new generation, so that they can also better understand where much began, who did what, what meaning certain information has and so on. My target group is mainly people who have a connection to my theme such as people and descendants who have a connection to the former western colonies and bi-cultural Dutch people so they can reflection upon the theme.
My relationship with my bi-cultural Dutch-Somali background and how I relate to it, is the main theme of RUUN. Within this relationship I experience beauties and struggles. (Un)conscious self-stigmatization is something that has played a major role in my life. This is because I grew up with the worldview that the west is superior in relation to the global south. That, in combination with the traces of colonization that influence the present. As a result, I unconsciously attached many prejudices to the Somali culture, communities and thus myself in my youth. This is something I started re-educating myself about when I was 19. By doing more research into my Somali roots, embracing this and learning to integrate what I see as valuable into my personal work, I see it as an effective means to give valuable meaning to the chaos I found myself in. As RUUN stands for truth in Somali. I will try to share my truths by engaging artistically, critically and poetically through my project.
Voorwoord
Ik gebruik voor mijn verslag en onderzoek de combinatie van veldonderzoek door de lokale bevolking te interviewen, informatie dat ik vergaard heb binnen mijn residenties en diens workshops en tot slot theorie van voornamelijk Somalische academische bronnen. Dit zie ik als een holistische manier om kennis op te doen over de inheemse culturele kunstuitingen uit de hoorn van Afrika. Mijn onderzoek maak ik inzichtelijk via het archiveren van mijn bevindingen, workshops en veldonderzoeken, dit verslag en een poëtische documentatie.
Het boek Divine Fertility: The Continuity in Transformation of an Ideology of Sacred Kinship in Northeast Africa van Sada Mire gaf mij ondersteuning om beter te begrijpen waarin ik mij in situeerde.
En wat mogelijk de achterliggende context zou kunnen zijn voor de culturele gewoontes en gedragingen. Met name de Sitaad ceremonie die ik had bijgewoond.
De eerste reis was meer een oriëntatie waarbij ik zocht naar de plekken waar ik het beste kon zijn. De tweede reis kon ik dieper ingaan omdat ik op basis van mijn eerste reis wist waar ik moest zijn voor mijn onderzoek. Ik ben erg dankbaar voor de kans die het Cultuurfonds en het Hargeisa Cultural Center mij hebben gegeven. Zonder hen was het niet mogelijk om deze reis te maken en dit te kunnen delen met een breed publiek.
Preface
For my report and research I use the combination of field research by interviewing the local population, information gathered during my residencies and workshops and finally theory from mainly Somali academic sources. I see this as a holistic way to gain knowledge about the indigenous cultural art expressions from the Horn of Africa. I make my research transparent by archiving my findings, workshops and field studies, this report and a poetic documentation. The book Divine Fertility: The Continuity in Transformation of an Ideology of Sacred Kinship in Northeast Africa by Sada Mire gave me support to better understand where I was situated. And what could possibly be the underlying context for the cultural habits and behavior. Particularly the Sitaad ceremony that I had attended. The first trip was more of an orientation where I looked for the places where I could best be. I was able to delve deeper into the second trip because I knew where to go for my research based on my first trip. I am grateful for the opportunity that the Cultuurfonds and the Hargeisa Cultural Center have given me. Without them it would not have been possible to make this journey and share it with a wide audience.
Halgan poem - English
Pearl of the horn
That inhabits people whom protect their beauty from other lenses
Where magic and lore dwells above and underground
One rarely sees unveiled
such as the devoition of the veiled
Land of incense and myrrh
When it rains it is evident we all can smell the grounds
Rich and fertile soil
Untapped Riches
Never have I seen soil that looked so fertile
Where time at times
does not seem to be existent
Only there is
moments in the moment
Halgan Gabay - Af-somaali
Luulkii geeska
Ummaddii ku noolayd Geeska, u dedaashay quruxdiisa, ee ka irdhaysay indha kale, iyo xumaantooda;
Arladay ku noolyiin, inta mudan, intii magac le iyo waxagaradkoodu, inta nool, intii aasan;
Dhulkii udugga iyo fooxa, malmalkiyo udgoonkiisa, intabadan wanaaggiisu, u asturanyay aayaha, lama-arag dhif mooyaane.
Marka mayayga roob kugu da'aa,
Udgoonkaaga soo dibad baxaa,
Dar Allena u tahay hodan.
Dushaaduna u qani tahay,
Carraduna u dihin tahay,
Diyaar baad u tahay beer,
Wali laguma daahfurin.
Anna duni intaan jirey,
Ma aan arag dushaaduba
Siday ay diyaar iyo
Dal u tahay wax soo saar!
Waxaad tahay degaankii mar,
Dadku moog yahay inuu jiroba,
Dareen baa se odhanaaya,
Waqtigaa daweeye ah.
The video above is a registration of the first premiere of RUUN that was presented in the big room of Pand-P, Eindhoven. Please take in account that it is a work in progress. The aim is to further develop the piece. I am grateful to share that the first presentation was a succes with the venue almost being sold out with over 85 people being present. An iteration of the piece has also been during FramerFramed as part of the Anarchist Citzien project.
PROCES
INSPIRATION / SOURCES
