What's this all about?
This is a project about sound, place, identity, and community among Karenni refugees in Ban Nai Soi, Thailand. It is, by nature, a soundscape project, and attempts to bring to light the central role that sound plays in the processes of placemaking. The collection of sounds you will find here are taken from my time as an intern at the Karenni Social Development Center, a community-based education organization for young Karenni refugees along the Thai-Burma border.
It is through these sounds (and the stories that accompany them) that I hope to portray to you, at least in part, the amazing vibes of this place, the people I have met (who I am now proud to call my friends), and the community I have had the honour to become a part of.
It is through these sounds (and the stories that accompany them) that I hope to portray to you, at least in part, the amazing vibes of this place, the people I have met (who I am now proud to call my friends), and the community I have had the honour to become a part of.
Sound is everywhere. It's a part of every environment, every scene, every locale we interact with. It's powerful, and thus occupies an important area of consideration when thinking about the meanings, memories, and ideas we associate with a given place. For me, personally, working here along the border and living with this incredible group of people has helped me to realize the existence of such power. This place is truly alive with sound, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. From nature, to laughter, to music, and everything in between. KSDC has it all.
Perhaps most powerfully, these sounds help to create a sense of place and/or belonging for individuals who maybe have not felt such things at any point in their lives. They turn a simple, mundane space into a place filled with friendship, support, emotion, and love. A home.
Community is important. These are the sounds of community. Have a listen.
Perhaps most powerfully, these sounds help to create a sense of place and/or belonging for individuals who maybe have not felt such things at any point in their lives. They turn a simple, mundane space into a place filled with friendship, support, emotion, and love. A home.
Community is important. These are the sounds of community. Have a listen.
"Sonic Geographies"
- a concept that relates to the role sound plays in our constructions and understandings of space and place.
About KSDC
Karenni Social Development Center is a small community-based organisation located on the Thai-Myanmar border. They run successful training programs for Karenni youth in Human Rights, Democracy, Law, Environment, Community Management, IT, and English.
The main goal of KSDC is to improve the lives of Karenni refugees who have suffered human rights abuses by enabling young refugees to become advocates in non-violent social change, and equipping them with the tools they need to help build a peaceful, democratic society, based on the rule of law.
The main goal of KSDC is to improve the lives of Karenni refugees who have suffered human rights abuses by enabling young refugees to become advocates in non-violent social change, and equipping them with the tools they need to help build a peaceful, democratic society, based on the rule of law.