“A river that forgets its source will soon dry up.” – Fulani Proverb
Watch the promo on Instagram!
You are invited to Pulaagam: A Celebration of Fulani Heritage on Saturday, June 7, at 3pm at the Columbus Arts Festival. The event will take place on the Word Is Art & Acoustic Lounge Stage (map) and coincides with Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice), one of the holiest annual celebrations in Islam. Share the Facebook Event. Suggested parking: RiverSouth garage, 232 S. Front St.)
The Fulani people are the largest nomadic ethnic group in the world, with significant presence in Ohio. Griots are the memory-keepers and historians of West African families, communities, and societies. With one glance at a person’s face, a well-seasoned griot can recount the lineage of one’s family, showering them with honor and praise. Habi Gawlo, a renowned griot, will sample this oral tradition before a live audience. Houleye Thiam, a Black Mauritanian human rights leader and poet, will read from her own work. Teresa Temu, a community leader, will talk about the Fula people’s contributions to culture and history, and Fatima Barro will present her language preservation tools at Demgalam.com, a website she and her sister created to keep the Fulani alive in younger generations. The audience will also be treated to recorded music from Salif Sarr, a renowned musical artist and vocal advocate for the Fulani people of Mauritania.
The event is hosted by the Ohio Immigrant Alliance in partnership with Demgalam, a Fulani cultural heritage project by Columbus sisters Fatima and Nourrou Barro. It is a follow-up from last year’s collaboration with Columbus Free Press, which introduced Columbus Arts Festival attendees to Tam Tam Magic’s drumming and the West African griot tradition.