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- starsrefugeeorg
- May 8
- 2 min read
When most people think of home, they envision a fixed coordinate on a map, a place, a street and an address. But for those in the refugee and migrant communities, home is rarely a static place. For many refugees who are forced to flee, they can't leave their living room, prayer room or their garden with them. Instead, they take memories, recipes and symbolic items that remind them of their country they left behind.
These aren’t just souvenirs, they serve as a reminder of where people come from and their heritage. When a person is displaced, they often face the fear of losing their sense of self. In a new country where the language, climate and customs are foreign, holding onto a specific tradition becomes a way of maintaining their identity. For some, it is a piece of jewelry passed down through generations. For others, it is a handwritten recipe. For Omara, 37 year-old musician who fled Damascus, Syria, it was his buzuq. A buzuq, which is a traditional long-necked lute, was the first thing Omar grabbed in the frantic moments of escaping.
To Omar, the buzuq was not just an instrument; it was a piece of Syria. In the difficult environment of a refugee camp, playing his lute reminded him of his country and gave him a sense of peace. He explains that the music “fills me with a sense of nostalgia and reminds me of my homeland. For a short time, it gives me some relief from my sorrows.” By keeping this object, Omar ensured that his identity and culture as a musician was not lost when he crossed borders. It allowed him to build a “home” even when he is miles away from his actual house.
Omar’s story is a reminder that the items that refugees carry, be it an instrument, a photograph or a religious text, are essential for their psychological survival. They serve as a constant reminder of who they are and where they come from, no matter how far they have traveled. Home is not just where people live, it is the traditions they carry and the traditions they refuse to leave behind.
-Chloe Boulliung
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