What is The House of Weaving Songs?
The House of Weaving Songs is inspired by the Somali-style nomadic structure called the Aqal. The interactive installation will integrate Somali weaving songs and woven tapestries in an experiment to connect the city to cultural practices that can inspire us in our fight to tackle climate change.
Dhaqan Collective see this space as an opportunity for holding climate anxiety and as a hopeful place inspired by the ingenuity of Somali nomadic people.
They would like to take the people of Bristol on an Immersive interactive journey centring on indigenous communities affected by climate collapse co-created with Somali communities in Bristol and beyond.
"In this semi-desert, the Somali people have developed a portable house called an Aqal which is in complete harmony with its environment. The land may look barren and hostile but it contains all the necessary material for [the] Aqal and its contents. It is a brilliant illustration of the economic use of limited resources; an invention forced by the conditions of life and totally Somali in character."
An insight into Dhaqan Collective
Dhaqan Collective is led by Fozia Ismail and Ayan Cilmi. Their practice seeks to find ways of building imaginative futures that support Somali people in the region and East Africa to resist the threats over our cultural heritage. They are a feminist art collective of Somali women, centring the voices of womxn and elders in our community, and privileging co-creation and collaboration.
More about the collaboration
Rowan Bishop, is an audio engineer with a background in studio-based audio production. Rowan now operates as an audio creative working across installation, music, sound design, performance and post-production.
Jack Stiling, of Stiling’s Workshop, offers a bespoke design and fabrication service to bring ideas into practice for creative businesses and individuals. Specialising in high-quality, unique and often interactive work, he is able to offer comprehensive, multi-disciplinary expertise to solve a wide variety of problems from design to fabrication.
Ibrahim Hirsi, is a digital Somali cultural archivist, independent researcher and co-founder of WaaberiPhone, an integrative archival-based approach in the preservation, revival and development of Somali art and culture.
Thimali Kodikara is a series producer and co-host of the groundbreaking podcast, Mothers Of Invention, on feminist solutions to the climate crisis. Alongside her co-hosts, former Irish president Mary Robinson and comedian Maeve Higgins, Thimali interviews BIPOC women and girls around the world on their innovations to avert climate catastrophe from its frontlines.
Imwen Eke, an experienced designer and social game practitioner touring the sensorium of technology, participatory performance and gameplay to explore new conversations and narratives for culturally curious audiences.