World Refugee Day was today. Travis and I went to an event at the Nairobi National Museum to commemorate the day. I wish I had my camera, there was so much to photograph. The dancers, the acrobats, the various cultures on display. My  favorite moment though was the dance by the Somalis. The threat of terrorism from Somalia bred al-Shabaab has Kenya on a certain edge. People cheered loudly for the previous group (from Burundi I think), but there seemed to be a subdued feel that came upon the audience when the Somali group was introduced.

They began their dance which was really just a continuous moving circle of them clapping. I felt they looked nervous and shy. People clapped politely to the music, but it seemed that there was a gigantic elephant in the room. Then, slowly, one could hear ululations and Somali men and women began to join their countrymen on stage. One by one they ran to the stage and joined the clapping circle.

I felt a little choked up. I have been told that no one trusts Somalis. I have been told the Kenyan Police raid Easteleigh and other Somali neighborhoods on a regular basis. I have been told that everyone wants Somalia to get better so the Somalis can return. I do not know if these statements are true or if they reflect the opinions of most Kenyans. But the sentiments are there. And yet for a moment this group of Somalis was able to express their culture in front of Kenyan government officials, UNHCR representatives, and the Kenyan media.

I wish I had a video. Maybe the news media will put something online soon. Currently, I have not been able to find anything from the event.