Zemdena

Ethiopia

“As a young girl I felt solidarity coming from my girlfriends, sisterhood. Comes from having women friends, in its fullness comes from African feminists. I feel so affirmed and so loved, less burdened. I feel the burden of patriarchy on my back. At least we share the burden. And the love that comes from that sharing and that unity. Gives you energy for the fight ahead. Imaging freedom together. It might just be an experiment. But at least if we start it, maybe someone else will continue it…”

Zemdena’s Artifact

The drums mean a lot to me because it describes me as a writer, as a poet and as a woman. As women, we have to amplify our voices. It connects the heart to me. Whenever I hear the drum, I feel it in my heart.