The Tumaini Festival brought excitement to Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi, as 72-year-old singer Jetu dazzled the crowd of 12,000.
Clad in a flashy tracksuit and oversized sunglasses, she asked, “Ine ndi ndani?” (Who am I?), to which the audience joyfully responded, “Ine ndi Jetu!” (I am Jetu!).
Held annually since 2014, the Tumaini Festival uniquely celebrates music, art, and culture at the world’s only music festival within a refugee camp.
Originally a prison, Dzaleka now houses over 60,000 refugees from countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Somalia.
Jetu expressed her gratitude for performing at her age, noting, “Not many people my age get to go on stage.”
The festival’s founder, Congolese poet Menes La Plume, emphasized that Tumaini is a platform for connection and cultural exchange.
“Here, refugees and locals celebrate together and showcase their crafts,” he explained.
Festival manager Tammy Mbendera highlighted the youth-driven organization of this year’s event, stating, “Everybody feels like they have been listened to.”
South African musician Maveriq Mavo, who performed at the festival, dedicated a song to the refugees, saying, “Some things, you don’t do for the money, you do them for the cause.”
Attendee Yasintha Kanyoza praised the festival for humanizing refugees, enabling meaningful interactions.
Menes hopes to expand the festival to other African nations, reflecting on its growing popularity: “We see people from all corners of Malawi coming to celebrate with the community here.”
