![](https://b-side.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/WEBSITE-HEADER-TEMPLATE-2023-1.jpg)
A multisensory tribute to Somali heritage in the face of climate collapse.
The House of Weaving Songs is a domed steel structure based on an Aqal, a Somali nomadic home found in the arid landscapes of Somalia. Embark on a sensory journey as 360-degree audio surrounds you, transporting you to the heart of Somali nomadic life through the musicality of Somali women’s weaving songs.
Wander through nomadic tapestries adorned with tales of tradition and resilience that ignite when touched, each thread weaving a story of heritage and belonging.
Traditionally woven elements of the Aqal contain the wishes and the dreams of those who made it. We see this house as a repository for our own hopes and dreams, a space for conversations and dialogue about our climate anxieties. Amidst this intricate tapestry of culture and community, where tradition and innovation meet, we invite you to reflect on your wishes and hopes for a just climate future. What kind of dreams will you share with the House of Weaving Songs? What will the House of Weaving Songs reflect back to you?
Dhaqan Collective is a Somali feminist art collective led by Ayan Cilmi and Fozia Ismail. The House of Weaving Songs was developed as part of Playable Cities, an art & creative technology programme funded through My World at Bristol University and Watershed.