Transforming attitudes through strategic infrastructuring: The Tumaini festival in Malawi's Dzaleka refugee camp

Overview

This research explores how the Tumaini Festival, held annually within the Dzaleka Refugee Camp, serves as a form of “strategic infrastructuring.” The festival creates a unique platform where cultural expression and public gathering transform the attitudes of both refugees and the host Malawian community.

Key Insights

• Strategic Infrastructuring: The festival is analyzed not just as an event, but as a temporary physical and social infrastructure that facilitates cultural exchange.
• Attitude Transformation: Participation in the festival helps break down stereotypes and fosters mutual respect between different groups.
• Visibility and Agency: The event provides a high-profile space for refugees to demonstrate their agency, creativity, and contributions to Malawian culture.
• Community Interaction: By drawing thousands of visitors from outside the camp, the festival bridges the geographic and social divide between Dzaleka and the rest of Malawi.

Citation

Gilman, L. (2024). Transforming attitudes through strategic infrastructuring: The Tumaini festival in Malawi’s Dzaleka refugee camp.