Photo by Hotaka D. Matsumura

A New Voice

By Doug Nayes
Contributing Writer

Over the past two decades the demographics of the Fargo/Moorhead area have been rapidly changing. The Sudanese population has been at the forefront of this. Despite this population explosion, the Sudanese remain severely unrepresented in our city’s art and culture. Things are not likely to stay this way for long, as younger generations of Sudanese people are starting to make themselves heard through art, music, and film. Out of this community came Embra Tor. You may have not heard of Embra, but I assure you he is quite well known among the Sudanese community. The musician/filmmaker is quickly becoming one of the leading voices of the Sudanese Community.

Embra has had a long difficult journey to Fargo. The journey began in the South Sudan town of Wau where Embra was born. Embra’s time in Wau didn’t last long. He was quickly moved with his parents to a town Aweil, and then was moved again to Khartoum, a city north of Sudan. It was during this time the extremist Islamic government of North Sudan forced many Christian South Sudanese families out of Sudan and into Egypt. This included Embra and his family. Embra’s childhood in Sudan had a profound effect on him. “I remember a hard life with no freedom in Sudan; a life I wish to never experience again.” His experiences also gave him a strong sense of resolve. H said, “if I would to ever find my self in such place (again). I will be one of the first to fight for freedom and democracy.” Embra’s childhood took him from Egypt to Massachusetts, with the help of Lutheran Social Services. It was in Massachusetts that Embra finally got to experience growing up in one place. When it came time for college, Embra set his sights on MSUM at the suggestion of his older brother. Embra enrolled in the Film Production and the Graphic Communication programs, from which he graduated this spring with a bachelor’s degree. I asked Embra if he would like to travel back to Sudan whether it be to live or visit. Embra told me he fully intends on visiting. He seemed especially anxious to see family he has not seen since he was a small child.

On July 9 the family Embra has not seen since he was a small child will be celebrating. Halfway around the world Embra will also be celebrating. It will be a celebration for an entire nation of Sudanese. It is on this day that South Sudan will secede and become it’s own independent nation. This sovereignty was achieved when a whopping ninety-eight point seven percent of the Southern Sudanese population voted for their independence. These voters included many of the Southern Sudanese from the Fargo-Moorhead area. These voters, Embra included, drove in a large van all the way to Nebraska to cast their vote. To think I was frustrated by the long lines during the last presidential election.

Much of the Sudanese population will be celebrating this momentous event on June 30 at the Fargo Dome. The event will feature guest speakers and all sorts of fun. Embra stressed to me that the event is open to all of the public, not just to the Sudanese population. The day of festivities will also feature not one but two films Embra Tor was involved in. The first film is titled Culture and Color; the film was a collaboration between Embra and filmmaker Ahmid Arafa. Embra who edited the film told me, “It is a documentary that focuses on the importance of Nepalese culture dance to Nepalese people living abroad.” While the film does not deal specifically deal with the Sudanese, it does deal with people from Nepal, who like the Sudanese have a rather large population in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

The fourteen-minute short film “Droplet” is Embra’s own creation. The film, in Embra’s own words, is “a film that uses star-crossed lovers to illustrate differences among people and the pitfalls of their differences.” Embra went on to describe the amazing experience he had shooting the film, “The fact that all of the actors in Droplet are inexperienced, and they all delivered amazing performances make the film even more interesting.” The film uses an all ethnic cast including Dak Thon, Majur Man, and Rania Claire among others.

With all the talk of the Sudanese Independence Day, and Embras various projects, I could not help but ask him his opinion on some of the challenges the Sudanese may face when adjusting to their new environment in the Valley. He responded, “Sudanese in America face many challenges. This biggest challenge I think is unity among Southern Sudanese. The reason for this problem is the Southern Sudanese continue to have the idea of being members of a tribe which goes with the ideology of considering one’s self as a Southern Sudanese citizen.”

Embra continued, “This problem causes division, distrust and weakness of solidarity among us all over the world. This division also causes intermarriage problems.” Embra deals with some of these themes in Droplet: “Solutions to our problems start by addressing our problems to all in a meaningful way, like the way Droplet addresses them.” Embra, like many Sudanese in the community, is addressing his concerns through art, whether it be expressed in the form of music or film.

Speaking of music, Embra is no stranger to it. Embra has been a practicing musician in the Fargo Moorhead area for quite some time. Embra’s distinct sound lies somewhere between dancehall and reggae. He has brought this sound to shows all over the country, including an opening spot for famous dancehall artist Shaun Paul. Locally he has done shows with former FM mainstays TnT, and local celebrities the 701-Crew. Embra is not currently active in his music but plans to get back to it. He did express to me he would like to take Droplet on the road showing it to various Sudanese communities around the country, but as of right now he has no concrete plans for this. Right now he is more concerned with helping the Sudanese community, and something every recent college grad worries about, finding some gainful employment.

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IF YOU GO:
WHAT: Sudanese Independence Day Celebration (Films, Guest speakers, Traditional Sudanese contemporary music and dance)
WHERE: Fargo Dome (2nd floor)
WHEN: Thursday June 30, 12 p.m. to 1 a.m.
INFO: All Ages, admission is free.