Amara NnajiLogo

Of Ships, Sailors, Figureheads and Migrants –

Breaking free of the chains in the quest for freedom

A message drops as I scan through my phone. I open it and read

I find it amusing. A hurriedly written piece I scribbled the day before. I was not sure it would come in handy. Nonetheless, I gave the organisers my word and I make it a habit to redeem my word.

Then, as I got to the venue, I was implored to read it with the option of ‘no pressure, you do not have to if you do not want to’. That quintessential British habit which I can only describe as;

Some of the Georgian era dressings

An African mother smiling encouragingly at you to accept the food proffered by a host. While at the same time believing she has trained you enough to decode the hidden meaning. And as that child who can decode their mother, I stepped up to read it. Even though, I ended up speaking more from my head than what I wrote down.

Yet, in the days since that event, the feedback has remained humbling. That feeling of sisterhood as I was enveloped by women of various colours and all remarked similarly – you spoke for us.

It was the launch of a ship’s figurehead. A figurehead is that wooden carving of an image on a ship’s bow. I was part of a woman’s group among a community of women emigrants. This particular ship was named after the Martin bird – from the Swallow family – a specie which migrates during the summer months.

Our group made this costume.  Model holds chains/ropes in her hands.  They depict the things which we seek freedom from.

Costume made by our group. Model holds chains/ropes depicting bonds.

Consequently, my piece had to tell a story which would link the ship to the birds and the women. It was a simple story which linked the similarities between a ship, sailors and the bird:

  • Sailing off to new lands over the seas
  • Leaving their homelands
  • A quest for freedom which is explained to going off to wars,
  • New adventures and discoveries
  • Surviving the harsh winters and unfriendly seas
  • Adapting to new lands, cultures, peoples
  • and the willpower to survive
Wight.  She made this statue using recycled products she picked from the beach.
Says it depicts the waste we throw into the sea

Met Anna, a fellow creative who came in from the Isle of Wight. She made this statue using recycled items which she picked from the beach. Anna says her statue depicts how we can utilise the wastes in the waters.

It was those, that I wove into the women’s life. While some had the privilege of making that journey as young migrant wives, others came in as mothers escaping for their lives with children. Yet, another set came in as whole families with husbands and children. Some who came in that way were now separated and struggling to find their feet.

I spoke of the fears and worries around taking that decision. The resilience it requires to adapt in a new land. The tenacity to stay sane and rebuild. The traumatic pain of leaving the familiarity and comforts of home, loved ones and trying to fit in elsewhere. For some, it includes learning a new language. For others, it was like a fish out of your depth yet like the birds and sailors, the bottom-line is the quest for freedom and survival.

“Lynne is a very wonderful person” – Teema

I held back tears as one Asian grandma came to me and held me.

“Well done my dear. That was fantastic because you spoke for all of us”

The best of it all was meeting Lynne. My other mother. The woman who took me to my first chemotherapy and stay there.

2 responses

  1. Dearest Amara, once again you have inspired us with your amazing art of spoken words in forging connection and friendship.

    I am filled with gratitude to be surrounded by strong women like you who embrace challenges with resilience and courage to overcome any obstacles life presents.

    The figurehead catwalk was truly great and your words spoke for most of us indeed!

    In the sea of life, where we have come together from shores apart one thing unites all; the ability to love one another despite our differences in colour, culture and costumes. That makes us all part of one big Family, called Humanity! xx

    1. Habibti Fatima,

      Thank you so much for this affirmation. Connecting and bonding with you during my toughest time remains a blessing.

      Yes, the ability to unite despite our externals is awesome.

      Obrigada!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Share the Post:

Related Posts