Olivier Shabani ’19 (left) and Salwa Sidahmed ’19
Salwa Sidahmed: Sudan, Egypt and Olivier Shabani: DRC
Everyone has a different way of remembering their roots.
Salwa: Both of my parents are Sudanese and my dad was raised in Sudan, my mom was raised in Egypt. I don’t get to go back to Africa a lot, in fact I’ve only been to Sudan twice so the Arabic language and wearing Sudanese clothing is the way that I feel like I can still be connected to my culture while I’m living in America.
Olivier: I was born [in Africa]. I’ve lived there for like eight years of my life and then I came here. This [shirt] was made in Africa and then sent here to me and they kind of represent who I am and where I come from. Our tradition of having to wear handmade clothes from our parents that we’re given and pass it on.