Mia Farrow Documents Darfur Traditions

Actress and activist Mia Farrow recently returned from the Chad-Darfur border, where she spent a number of weeks documenting Darfuri traditions.

I have visited this camp many times—they know I care, they know that I have been fighting for them—for their protection, for justice. For their safe return home.    They know I come here in solidarity,  and in respect. So,  as we talked, and  I said  if we do not preserve the old traditions, the songs and stories and the ways of their grandparents, they will be lost forever. Omer Al-Bashir and co will have destroyed everything. But we cannot allow this. Let us do this together, for their children, and their children’s children. For the children of Darfur who do not know their homeland and their heritage.  We will operate the camera, but this is for them. The museum will be theirs. Whatever they feel is important, they can bring it to us and we will preserve it.

I'm fascinated to see what comes from the project, but in the meantime, check out some of the beautiful photographs Farrow took while there:

Lemon necklaces

Woman wearing hijabs - protective amulets

Masalit woman dancing

Women singer/dancers at Goz Amir

These colorful portraits of strong women tell such hopeful stories in these small photos.  To learn more about the challenges and dangers faced by women in Darfur, watch Save Darfur's short video, "Violence Against Women and the Darfur Genocide" and check out Physicians for Human Rights' "Darfuri Women" site.

(The lemon necklaces remind me of the beautiful yellow colors in the Darfur Relief Beads bracelets, made from African sand and the profits of which go to a Darfur women's center.)

All photos from Mia Farrow, who graciously gives permission to all who visit her site to use her photos.