Performance with purpose: How dance, poetry, and pain became a voice for the voiceless

Sarakasi All Stars performing Voices of Silent (Photo courtesy)

Early this month, the Sarakasi All Stars, in partnership with Africalia Belgium, brought to life a powerful and emotionally charged production titled Voices of the Silent. This was a performance that not only entertained, but educated, healed, and called an entire society to action.

From Jericho to Mathare and finally Kayole, community members gathered in open spaces to witness a kind of performance rarely seen in these areas: one that gave voice to survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), empowered communities with information, and ignited much-needed conversations around a deeply stigmatised issue.