SCARF: Breathing Space

SCARF is a literary arts magazine, dedicated each year to a new theme, tying together the work of both local and global artists, rooted in Numbi’s Somali origination and vision. Each issue interlaces compositions to weave stories, together – making SCARF. ISSN 2050-1757 INTRODUCTION to Breathing Space by Kinsi Abdulleh When I think about ‘Breathing Space’. I associate it with air, freshness, the sea, and the fluid nature of identity. I associate ‘Breathing Space’ with freedom. With that in mind, we wanted to create an issue that reflected these ideas and we set ourselves a challenge. To make every single page matter. In collaboration with a tiny team of editors, illustrators and designers, we put our best foot forward and invited our favourite international artists, filmmakers, poets and dreamers to share unusual and delightful stories, anecdotes, poems, recipes and essays in this spirit of openness. The Haitian MacArthur fellow, Edwidge Danticat has contributed a gorgeous recipe and seder from her homeland that links slavery, freedom and independence in a way that acknowledges the horrors of the past but looks optimistically towards the future. Nigerian feminist activist, Sokari Ekine has written a poignant essay about sexual identity, blogging and what it means to be different. The novelist, Abdulrazak Gurnah shares an extract from his latest novel ‘The Last Gift’ which looks at the immigrant experience at a time when immigrants across the globe are being hounded and used as scapegoats for cheap, dehumanizing attempts at political power play (yes, Sarkozy, we’re looking at you!). Romesh Gunesekera, Neil Kleid, Meshell Ndegeocello, Lauren Trimble, Abdul Adan, Sam Elmi, Dorothea Smartt, Lizz Wright. John R. Gordon, Elmi Ali, Idil Abshir and Sai Murai have contributed poetry, prose and essays that are elegant, challenging and, most importantly, humane. Their work only amplifies our belief that the most powerful ideas can be inclusive, accessible, intelligent and hopeful. Handirubvi Wakatama, Wangechi Mutu, Nadia Faragaab and Fatoumata Diawara are some of the best visual and musical artists out there and in this issue we celebrate them. Their interviews with Deputy Editor, Diriye Osman, reveal strength, courage, determination and drive. Those are the qualities needed in order to succeed as artists. We hope you enjoy this issue. Reading is pleasure. Art is joy. Dreaming is necessary. So keep dreaming, keep living and keep thriving.