'Kafala' in Arabic stands for sponsorship. Even as the word usually points to patronage and endowment in a general sense, it is also akin to slavery or bondage, in practice throughout the Middle East. The Tse Tse Foundation which is dedicated to civil rights in the Middle East, manifesting as a platform for artists, musicians, writers and film-makers has recently published a compilation of music and sound-art titled 'This is Kafala'. The compilation features more than 20 artists from a multitude of disciplines, delivering a divergent sonic barrage, brimming with narratives, traditional samples, synthesis, voices and abstract forms of electronica. An assemblage of dissent, activism and music which is clearly inspired from the devastated landscape of the region - given endless war, persecution, interventions and consequently countless human-rights abuses. Founded by artist, writer and curator Simon Coates in the UAE in 2015, Tse Tse Fly Middle East started life as a monthly experimental arts night in the Al Barsha district of Dubai. By 2017 Simon Coates had relocated to London, yet deeply affected by the civil rights and free speech abuses he had witnessed during his stint in the Middle East. As a result, Tse Tse Fly Middle East was formed as a non-profit organisation - with a remit of drawing attention to human rights and freedom of speech issues via the platform’s work. A compelling and cutting edge 'space' for alternative music and activism to collude and thrive!
The compilation is an embodiment of Tse Tse Fly Middle East's fifth anniversary. 'This Is Kafala' intends to draw attention to the 'kafala system' - a form of oppression, deeply entrenched in employment and labor norms used by oppressive regimes (and classes) in the Middle East. Under a 'kafala' migrants travelling from surrounding regions to work in these countries must surrender all their rights to their local sponsor or patronage. The extremes in exploitation that ensue are likened to modern-day slavery, with workers made to suffer unsafe working conditions, long working hours, squalid accommodation, confiscation of passports, low pay, physical and sexual abuse, and even torture. Prosperous or war-torn, this abject medieval practice is present in many nations of the Middle-East. UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabi being the strongest examples of such exploitative societies. These nations have practically zero labor protection laws and obviously massive censorship against the youth and dissidents...
Hosted on the Tse Tse Fly Middle East website, the Kafala Online Exhibition is a selection from artists, illustrators and documentary film-makers. Those featured in the exhibition include award-winning artist and writer Molly Crabapple, award-winning visual journalist Chuck Todd, activist group Gulf Labor, reportage illustrator Brady Black, artist Ryan Inzana and many more emerging artists. The projects also includes association with Migrant-Rights.org, a non-profit organisation that advances rights of migrant workers throughout the Middle East. This Is Kafala album, released on October 9th 2020 as a download exclusive on Bandcamp. The press note states that "Everyone involved has given their time for free, and monetary proceeds will go to charities and NPOs that are working towards ending kafala!"
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