Ÿuma Smek (2016)
Home is where the heart is. There’s no place like home. The proverbs and quotes about home are legion although they tend to emphasize that while home can be a physical space, it can also be much more. And then there are those with more than one home, perhaps due to immigration, perhaps due families living in disparate places.
Having a home is such a basic physiological need that without it, people are pushed to the margins of society. “Feeling at home” is about feeling so welcome that you are able to be yourself, be comfortable and have your needs met, and that can be provided by a place but sometimes also by a person.
What happens when home doesn’t offer a clear path to prosperity and people find themselves having to move on even if the way ahead is uncertain? Can they ever be at home in the new land? Tunisia is famous for its rich history and beautiful beaches. For some time the political and economic climate in the country was encouraging Tunisians to migrate, but now the country is also becoming a transit hub for other Africans hoping to reach Europe. On “Smek”, Ÿuma, a Tunisian folk duo, muse about missing home, the relatable and bittersweet themes of the song are reflected in their elegant and evocative harmonies. This is music for the emotional home, the place inside each of us that can make us feel safe and looked after.
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