Many people only know what the Chinese Government has done to us.
I want to show the world who we really are.
- Nadira Yusuf, project collaborator.
What is this project?
The largest genocide since the holocaust is happening right now. But to who? If you look at the headlines a singular story of Uyghur identity emerges. But for the people in this project, genocide does not define the sum of their identity, culture, dreams or power.
Our end goal is to publish a book that shares stories and photos from Uyghurs across the global diaspora: from Adelaide to Berlin, New York to London. Ultimately the work is a defiant act of collective resistance.
These are the new narratives: proudly defined by Uyghurs, not the Chinese Government.
If you’re interested in finding out more, please get in touch. We are currently looking for a publisher and further publicity of the project. This project is currently self-funded and independent.
Being Uyghur is not a tragedy, we are not history. We are not the past. Uyghur women are the present and the future.
We are change makers and creators.
For a long time I lived in fear that because I am a migrant, an Uyghur, a POC, I can’t do what I want. But I no longer feed that narrative. We have seen pain but we turn that into our power.
- Denara Amat, Founder of SEDA Collective
It's a shame that Uyghurs are being introduced to the world through the actions of our oppressors. But across the generations and borders of the diaspora, our resistance in all its forms defies the oppressor. From my mum's etken chai to boycotts of brands that exploit forced labour - our resistance is not homogenous. Our culture is our power.
- Fazilat Shu, Stylst
In 2014, I opened the Uyghur Language School in Victoria. There are many Uyghur people like me, living in Australia because of persecution in China. I believe one day we will return to East Turkestan and I want our children to speak to their grandparents in their mother tongue. Some people say, 'You're dreaming, but we need dreams to keep our hope alive.
Many Australians only know what the Chinese government has done to us. When they hear 'Uyghur' they imagine people dying and starving. But Uyghurs have a rich culture and history. I want to show the world who we really are.
- Nadira Yusuf, Founder of the Uyghur Language School Victoria
In the Uyghur language, we have a word “mehman-dost”, which directly translates to “friend of the guest”. Basically what it means is that Uyghur people value being great hosts, to the extent where you would treat strangers as though they are your close friends. In my experience, it embraces the traits of generosity, kindness, and attentiveness. Not only to people, but to the natural world around us. I love this word because I think it encompasses the entire Uyghur culture, and is something I grew up with and will always go back to.
Belonging to the Uyghur Adelaide community is beautiful - if you ever need anything there are so many people who’ll jump to be there for you and treat you like family, despite their own struggles. That’s the person I’m trying to be.
- Sabira Hasanoff, Healthcare Researcher
My activism starts with showing the world who we are through our culture. We have such a rich history spanning thousands of years. In our homeland, Uyghurs are being systematically killed and our ethnic identity is being erased.
So as the next generation in the diaspora, we need to be able to know our culture, and become familiar with it to pass it on. That's why I am so passionate about our traditional Uyghur dance as one aspect of our culture. Because if we're not the ones expressing our culture, then who will?"
- Inty Elham, Human Rights Activist & Performer