A group of young women has been transforming their experiences of migration, identity, culture and belonging into poetry and creative works — reclaiming their stories and preparing to share them in their own voices with the community.
Those stories will be heard at Kingston Butter Factory this month when Stories of Our Sisters brings original spoken-word poetry by seven young women from culturally diverse backgrounds to the Logan stage.
The Friday, 19 June showcase was created in response to young women in Ethni’s community who wanted an opportunity to explore their stories through spoken word and creative expression.
Project manager and performer “Nas” Nasteho Mukhtar said the project began as a way to bring young women together through poetry, wellbeing and community connection.
“We initially just started as a means to sort of get young women together, have a conversation about well-being, community connection and what that looks like,” she said.
“They developed their own poems, their own story lines, which will now be published into a book, and they will also be performing those poems on both shows.”
Ms Mukhtar said the six-month process showed how strongly participants wanted to connect with others who understood parts of their experience.
“We hadn’t realised there was such a yearning for connection, especially connection with other people who have similar lived experience,” she said.
“It was amazing to have that six months together where they all shared a sort of similarity in the way that they approached healing and well-being.”
Ms Mukhtar said the showcase also gave the performers ownership of their stories.
“It gives the young women control over their stories to tell to the community,” she said.
“When it comes to the communities these young women represent, there’s a lot of negative publication about them out there.”
“I would want to show them the complexities of our communities and the many strengths that we have and that we bring with us.”
“I’d love to change that narrative.”
Performer Huda Akhlaki said the program had changed the way she shared her own stories.
“For me personally, the project has completely transformed the way in which I share my stories and perspectives through storytelling,” she said.
“I’ve discovered so much about myself on a deeper level.”
Ms Akhlaki said poetry had given participants a powerful way to explore their experiences.
“Poetry is just one of the many incredible ways of unlocking storytelling that is unique to each individual,” she said.
“It also provides a therapeutic outlet for people, particularly young women from diverse backgrounds, to explore their stories, experiences and wisdom without judgement.”
“There is something incredibly powerful about the finely chosen words that end up being in the final draft of your poem.”
Playwright, producer and director Grace Edwards said the project began with poetry workshops led by award-winning slam poet Huda the Goddess, before performers worked on bringing their pieces to the stage.
“It was really another avenue of supporting the women with self-expression and sharing their stories in a different sort of creative way,” Ms Edwards said.
Ms Edwards, who grew up in Logan after arriving in Australia with her family from a refugee camp in Kenya, said the show also carried personal meaning.
“I’ve lived in Logan since my family and I came to Australia, so it’s my home now,” she said.
“This is my first time producing a show that will be in Logan, so it’s really beautiful in that sense that I’m finally bringing something back home.”
Ms Edwards said the performance would include deeply personal stories, but would not be defined only by difficult subject matter.
“It’s going to be very entertaining as well,” she said.
“It’s going to be heartfelt, it’s going to be very deeply personal stories, but you will also see the joy in it.”
The showcase will include cultural poetry and dance by a Somali women’s group, a foyer performance by pop musician Lara SL, and poetry by Huda the Goddess.
Stories of Our Sisters is at Kingston Butter Factory Cultural Precinct from 7.30pm on Friday, 19 June. Doors open at 7pm.
Book tickets through Logan Arts.
Subscribe to stay up-to-date with news from across Logan. You’ll receive a link to our digital newspaper direct to your inbox each week. It’s free.
