That same old question
The truth of the matter is that the easiest response to the question, “Where are you from?” would be Chad, as this is the country of my heritage, despite my only having spent a little over two years in total, in the country.
Despite having been born in Saudi Arabia, raised in Switzerland and Benin, schooled in Chad, Egypt and France and having worked and travelled the seven continents of the world, I still consider myself Chadian.
And proudly so.
Home-sweet-home
A few weeks ago I recently landed in Johannesburg from Washington D.C. and this city is now my new home and I’m excited about this new chapter of my life. For the first time in my life, I feel as though it is time for me to settle down…somewhere…permanently.
This has been a long time coming.
Let’s just say I’m exhausted of leading a very dual life.
On one hand I have an extremely cosmopolitan life that is filled with amazing experiences such as;
swimming with carnivore piranhas’ in the Amazon river,
studying Goya’s superb painting collection in Museo del Prado,
hiking in the breathtaking Andes mountains,
in the search of the lost city of Macchu Picchu,
articulating the subtleties of XV century Arabic calligraphy,
cuddling orphan baby elephants in Kenya,
chatting about the “in” thing during summer vacation in Monaco
or planning my next once-in-a-lifetime trip to climb Ayers Rock in Australia…
All of which is done or expressed in either Gorane-Daza, French, English, Arabic, Spanish or Portuguese…the languages I am fluent in.
On the other hand, my Chadian origins always manage to catch up with me on my various escapades through life. I realize I am not living the typical life expected of a Muslim woman from a conservative family. In spite of the glaring disparities between my current and former lives, I still have very fond memories of my upbringing that involved;
summers spent playing in the intermittent oasis waters,
skimming across the Sahara with a caravan of camels,
learning parts of the holy Qur’an with my religious leader of a grandfather,
collecting dead wood with my cousins to start a fire,
gazelle hunting with my uncles in the endless Savanna’ steppes
and sipping on minted green tea with fresh dates.
Living my fast-paced, international lifestyle has made me more aware than ever of how I belong to my ancient nomadic culture and how through the blood running in my veins, my ancestors continue to live through me. This is when I remember and appreciate my late great grandmother’s teachings of my detailed family tree, a legacy that can be traced back up to a millennium.
Perhaps my nomadic genes explain why, in our modern world, I find myself restless to explore every corner of the planet.
Some days…
On bad days I feel torn, envious of those who were born and raised in one place, and have strong ties to that place. As much as I feel Chadian, I can also feel, depending on the day: French, Beninese, American, Egyptian, Brazilian or Swiss. Simply put, there are several versions of Salwa in me and those Salwas’, even though they are not all reconcilable, are still intrinsic parts of the one Salwa that I am.
On good days, I feel that I have finally found the tricky balance between my several “me’s”. Sometimes this fragile balance is broken when I am reminded by life of my Chadian roots: when wearing my everyday “tarha” (a head cover that I have been wearing since I am seventeen and that virtually all Muslim Chadian women wear), organizing a henna party for my cousin-to-be’s future wife, shopping for sandalwood incense and other womanhood secrecies with my mother at the central market of N’Djaména or being called insulting names by some fellow Chadian women because I dared to voice my opinion against the custom of early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation (a cause that influenced my becoming a lawyer, to defend the vulnerable).
Being in my mid-twenties, I know how blessed I am to have had all this priceless exposure to the world and the ability to live out a lot of my dreams. In the course of this journey, I am learning everyday to get the most out of my life, accepting who I am with all variations that come along with it.
Ultimately I dream to return to Chad. This is reinforced by the fact that on September 2011, the Newsweek Global Women’s Progress Report published that “the worst place for women in the world” is Chad, which was ranked last out of the 165 countries surveyed. According to the report, “Women have almost no rights and many marriages are arranged when girls are only eleven or twelve”.
The devastating results of this report, and my own personal experience in my home country as a woman, have invigorated my long-standing commitment to work on women’s and girls’ rights. However, that’s a discussion for another day, let me not digress.
For now, I am really looking forward to my life in Johannesburg – maybe this will finally become “home” for me…the definitive one.
Insh’Allah.
Written by: Salwa Saleh
Lovely article! I can definitely relate with my multi cultural upbringing. I understand being envious of those born and bred in their native countries as well.
Great article. Funny I always thought the opposite, as a person who grew up in my native country the majority of my life, I always used to dream how exotic it would be to be able to travel and see the world and learn in different Schools, all over the world… even thinking about it now makes me think I still would love to! But I guess its always nice to have a home, a place you can call home and where you can run to, to seek comfort. All the ebst in Jo’burg
Salwa!!! What an amazing testimony!!!
Blessings, light and joy!
Margherita and Camilla
Hey Salwa – beautiful tale…the way the world offers new nomadic possibilities is def both exciting and challenging – for what its worth, after my own (much less extensive and colourful) nomadic life, I have very much enjoyed being settled in joburg for the last 5 years. Feel a sense of peace on that front. Thx for sharing, and see you soon. M
Wow!! this is an amazing story written by an inspirational woman. You are truly remarkable. It’s such an achievement to know so many languages but a much greater achievement to have a dream to make a difference. I believe you will, your heart beat is clearly Chadian, because that is your ultimate destiny, follow your heart beat and you’ll find your home! It’s an honour knowing you. Ciao Rams
Beautifully written Salwa! Hope you’ve settled well in Joburg. Now you should exploit your other talent and start a photoblog (if you haven’t already) and show us all these places you’ve been. Will be waiting for the link…
What a wonderful commentary….i was lost in my imagination reading about all your life experiences and I thank you for this. I hope you do get us a photoblog as well. Enjoy Johannesburg!!!!!
Wonderful article!!
Nice article, Salwa. I hope you are enjoying your new life in South Africa. Regards, Jonas
Your article is inspiring and breathtaking. You are such a homing pigeon. I would not be surprised if I hear that you left Johannesburg for another venture throughout the world. One piece of advice, translate this article in all the languages you are fluent in and have them published.
Salwa, thanks for sharing. It helps the rest of us appreciate what it means ‘to belong’. The nomad in me appreciates that some where in some place, the roots that bind me run deeper and that is the ‘home of all homes’. A well-written piece. Where are the photos taken in all those lovely places?
wonderful article! Incisive and accurate…after all, many a day i do feel like that…
Je retrouve totalement dans ce fabuleux récit la fille que j ai rencontré , il y a bientôt dix ans au Bénin.
Bien plus qu une tchadienne, tu restes pour moi une citoyenne du monde…
Très fière de toi chère amie. À bientôt pour de nouvelles aventures.
Hi Selwa thank you for sharing a small piece of your story with us. It is a lovely recount of your life experiences… and inspiring! I hope your story continues to evolve, growing richer and more layered with each experience.
Lovely story Salwa. You are so gifted and talented. Full of energy and a great start to my monday mornings, wednesdays and fridays. Stay as beautiful and awesome as you are – your personal trainer Natalie
Selwa,
What a beautiful, poignant piece. Keep on writing.
Looking forward to seeing you in Jo-berg!
CM
Salwa, thank you for sharing ‘a slice’ of your story and I can certainly relate to aspects of it. Your experiences and approach to life will enrich those fortunate to meet you. May god continue to bless your journey through life!
Proud of you, Salwa! Nice work.
Salwa, gostei muito do teu trabalho neste mural. Tens tido uma vida cheia de experiencias marcantes, o que faz de ti uma pessoa realmente privilegiada. Agrada muito ver a abordagem pragmatica da vida aliada ao teu talento, e creio que grandes coisas ainda estao por vir. Estarei aqui, esperando mais um pouco das tuas reflexoes e historias, com as quais faremos (sem duvidas) as nossas vidas um pouco mais interessantes.
Continue assim. Parabens!
Is there no end to your talents??? I knew you were an amazing dancer, an awesome photographer, a super guitar player but did not know that you were also a great writer!!! Keep up the good work Salwa and hope you get us a book out sometimes…
Great article Salwa!!!
Already looking forward to the complete memoirs of your travels…. Your talent and life are truly inspiring!
Etonnante voyageuse es-tu Salwa! Merci pour le récit d’une petite partie de ta vie. Ca donne envie de voyager, de découvrir d’autre culture, d’un autre monde. Un bon voyageur ne s’arrête pas en mi-chemin,on attend la suite des aventures ^_^
What an amazing voyage u took us on throughout your story. Beautifully written and inspirational; just another talent of the many my dear Chadian delight enfold
Very proud of all your accomplishment and I am sure this is just the beginning for you, so looking forward to more…
Brilliant job Salwa! Your late grandfather who was a veteran writer would have been so proud of you… And we know how you were close to him. We thank you for bringing back to us some very happy memories, for being such an exemplifying role model to a whole generation of chadians and africans women(but not only). We miss you very much. Keep on blossoming beautiful desert rose and blessed heiress of your ancient nomadic lineage… Perhaps you would become the first chadian to go explore new horizons outside our planet (which is def too small for your great level of energy)… We certainly wouldn’t be surprised: you have been consistently amazing us for the last twenty something years!
xxx
I love it, brilliant, then again I already knew that. Although your leaving SA soon I hope some day you will settle here so we can dance the night away and chant “Salwa Salwa Salwa E”….Love you
Excellent piece, S! What an amazing journey you’ve been on so far… May God bless you with many more adventures. See you in a couple of hours
.
Beautiful story shared by a talented writer… Keep dreaming and believing in yourself… The sky will always be the limit for you!
Wonderful piece Salwa! Glad a finally read it
truly a wonderful life, just makes one realise we are not alone in the world. we should and can own every single experience we’ve ever had as individual parts that make up the whole of who we are. however, what I resonate with the most is that even having grown up in one area and having moved a couple of times to different provinces in my own country, I am also conflicted at times about my identity and where I truly belong but this blog makes me realise and stand proudly in owning my Tswana heritage in its fullness, even with the accent that accompanies my use of the Queen’s language……truly great!!!!
Je n’ai jamais vraiment compris pourquoi tu ne pouvais juste pas t’installer quelque part et je dois avouer qu’il ne m’était pas venu à l’esprit d’associer ton “instabilité” (ce n’est pas péjoratif) à ta nature “nomade”. Ton article donne envie d’aller à la découverte d’autres contrées, de faire comme toi. Reste quand même suffisamment longtemps au prochain endroit où tu vas aller, pour qu’enfin je me décide à aller te voir
Dear Salwa
You are such blessed girl. And all praise to you parents who ensured that you had the best opportunities you could get. Treasure them always, if not for their efforts, you would not be able to be the best you can be. The world is your oyster.
Dear Salwa and precious Soul. This story is the story of many of us who carry their home in their heart. Your tradition allow you to recenter and not to prevent you to explore many others civilizations , which, rather fuels the radiant personality of yours. Thank you for laying down your thoughts. “Journaling” will bring you solace and reunite you with your true self. One thing that transpires for sure from your article is that, you really leave in the now moment; therefore, you cannot miss anything. There is a time for everything in life. Once you settle down (raising a family), you will feel fulfilled, because you had used all the opportunities that came along with your life style. Blessed are your parents. Jods
Hmmm….beautiful article….I think we are all inherently nomadic….free is the spirit that lives according to this primal instinct to seek. Seekers are finders. And seekers, most importantly, find themselves….I am pleased to have found you down the road, with your piranha bites, and if you are free on Sunday, I am going to take you on an adventure in Gauteng that I promise you will love and remember.
What a magnificent story and an amazing journey. You write beautifully. I loved the thought of cuddling baby elephants in Kenya. It is such a privilege to have you in Johannesburg.
margins, interfaces, nowherelands .. dusk and dawn
hopefully there’s a place to welcome us all: http://desencyclopedie.wikia.com/wiki/Corée_du_Milieu
holyland..
poland use to be a place of the sort: “Quant à l’action, elle se passe en Pologne, c’est-à-dire nulle part. ” (Jarry) .. until they got borders and became numb
xixixi greetings Salwa !! beautiful article ..
[...] The Modern-day African Nomad [...]
Ma Dear Salwa,
Thank you very much for this article. Being born in India from a french mother and an inidan father, I experince being considered french by indians, indian by french and others never really “where I come from”…I feel a simple citize of the world. Do you know the story : “at what sign can you recongize that the nightime is over and the daytime is there ? When you can differentiate a dog from a sheep ? No. When in each human beeing you recongize your brother or sister.”
Carry on Salwa and share with us.
Yamouna DAVID
International Happiness Observatory
http://www.oib-france.com