Six Degrees From Home

The name Six Degrees From Home plays on the theory of six degrees of separation, which is the theory that we are all no more than five human connections away from anyone else in the world. Six Degrees From Home posits that for those in the diaspora we are all no more than five human connections away from anyone else in the world. Six Degrees From Home posits that for those in the diaspora we are all no more than one/two/three/four/five people, languages, cities, countries, or seas away from home. This page features East African women from all across the diaspora and inspires to connect East African women around the world.

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Diana Musoni

I am a 22 year old Rwandese born in Uganda and living in South Africa. Being born an East African is a deep unapologetic characteristic I carry within that leaves traits of beauty and glimmering star dusts of the past.

As much as I can speak of the beauty of Rwanda and a thousand hills, mille collines that incubates my small country, it is with no doubt my neighbouring countries are a part of me. I find it respectful and worthwhile to learn their languages and cultures just as important as it is to be educated. On the other side of my life I am a deeply hilarious character who believes in God, self love and respect. I am currently studying interior Architecture at CPUT. With my degree I hope to be a beacon of happiness on Rwanda's a thousand hills. I am a really simple complex person who finds the sea and stars to be a daily emotional challenge. Its too much beauty to take in. That's all really, all but a start.

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Haimi Tefera

I was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and lived there until the age of 4. My father was promoted and had to move to Durban, South Africa so my mom and I followed. It was tough back then because it was fresh out of apartheid and school life was really racially polarised. Coming from Ethiopia, which does not have a colonial history, I had to learn that I was "black". This would have been okay, had it not been that I was not the right kind of black to be accepted here. Eventually I learned that I didn't have to try so hard to fit in, but it took me a good 15 years. Eventually, I took pride in being able to read and write in the Ethiopian alphabet and still being able to speak the language. I would have to say that it was in university that I truly felt at peace with who I was. It was there that I found others like me to which ethnicity or background was of little significance except for it being a library of knowledge that we could all learn from. I then stopped straightening my hair and trying to stay out of the sun to "keep my complexion". I am now totally fine with not quite feeling like I'm from anywhere in particular. Every time I go back to Ethiopia, I feel out of place and well, South Africa isn't really 'home' either. No matter, even though I don't 'belong' anywhere, I finally belong to myself and so I carry my home with me wherever I go. I currently live in Paris, doing my masters in engineering. As to whether I'll ever go back to Ethiopia, I'm torn between wanting to 'help out' and my own personal comfort and sanity. Only time will tell.

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Wairimu Muriithi

Wairimu Muriithi is a not-yet-writer, an all-time-reader a secret-blogger and a very reluctant student. She lives in South Africa and Kenya, and mostly spends her time thinking and reading about memory, diaspora, grief and the 1973 film, Touki Bouki. She has written previously for Wiathi in The New Inquiry, Will This Be A Problem, the Kalahari Review and Short Story Day Africa. She likes all things potato.

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Jessica Loko Mule

I'm Jessica and I also go as Kalemela, an avid lover of daydreaming born and  proudly bread in Nairobi, Kenya. I'm an undergraduate student at Univeristy of Cape Town, in my third year studying a business science degree where I am majoring in marketing and minoring in indecisiveness. Basically I'm Sway and life is my Kanye, always reminding my anxious and control driven conscience that I don’t have the answers, and rightfully so because if I did where would be the fun in that. It is for that reason, coupled with my obsession with daydreaming (admittedly disguising the self-doubt that plagues my youth) that I see it fit to define my self as aspiring to be an aspiring artist both musically and visually. For me artistic expression is where I feel safest being vulnerable because art is accepting, honest and sacred to all. That being said embracing myself as an East African woman is more than just the aesthetic or style, it's an identity. To me being an African Woman is embracing an armour of self acceptance and most importantly an evolution into oneself, and being an East African Woman is an identity so inherently internal it can't nor need it be defined by words because the East African spirit and warmth speaks for itself.

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Peace Megan Bakwega

My name is Peace Megan Bakwega. I am 17 years old. I was born in the States but raised in Uganda. I am currently in Boston, Massachusetts at an Architectural camp in preparation for university. I usually do not know how to talk about or describe myself. I aspire to become an Architect/Interior Designer/ Photographer. Growing up I used to think that America was the place I want to live in. I used to think of Uganda as a pathetic place, but being in Boston has made me realise that Uganda is actually the perfect place to call home. Never in a million years would I think that I would say America isn't the best but life has a way of surprising you.  

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Ethel Nshakira

To be honest, writing bios is one of my least favorite things but taking pictures definitely tops the list so I figured why not…for the pictures.

My name is Ethel Nshakira and I'm an 18-year old Ugandan photographer currently pursuing a Bachelor of Journalism and Media Studies at Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa.

My fascination for photography began when I became interested with pictures shot in perspective. I remembering focusing as hard as I could on random things in the house with my Nokia phone camera and then just staring simply amused at what had come out of it.

This has developed into a form of unique expression of every experience I encounter. Photography as an art has allowed me to document the richness of my hometown Kampala and share the light I see in what makes The Pearl shine so bright. My images are a form of celebration of the people we are as Ugandans, and as Africans. I believe in the power of the arts to refine a community so I am looking forward to what my camera has in store for me in Grahamstown and South Africa at large throughout the next few years.  

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Carol Kagezi

A bio, the hardest task I have encountered in my short, yet might-be long life. What is it that I am trying to tell the world about me? Who am I? Honestly, all I know for certain is that I was baptized Carol (and several other names) but I prefer Carol, my grandmother’s name. I tend to be quirky but I promise, most times I’m normal(normal, what is that?). I have an undying thirst for knowledge, love for crafting words and sharing stories. My Instagram bio says that I’m a radical practitioner of self love.

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Ilyana Wanjira Bell

I am swept in a constant wave of change. My Name is Ilyana Bell, and I am a 21 year old Philosophy student at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. I was born in London to a Scottish father and a Kenyan mother, two sisters from my mother, and a brother and sister from my father. We eventually moved back to East Africa, where Kenya is now my home. I remember growing up, surrounded by giants, the youngest of my siblings being 8 years older than me, and the oldest 20. Slowly they flew the nest as I waved goodbye from behind my mother's skirt, occasionally they returned with news of their growth, and me the unhatched, overprotected egg, wondered if I even had wings. Finally, no longer a spring chick, weathered by loving guidance, I jumped into the world knowing the comfort of the nest was a call away. I thank my sisters for every night they sat and oiled, combed and braided my hair for me, preparing me for indecisive weather. I thank my mother for the Kangas she chose and cut and hemmed for me to take away, protecting my laundry, hair and modesty. I thank my father for all the wise words and silent hugs he gave me, being the shoulder I needed away from home. As I am now faced with the turbulence of change, like blue sky after a storm, an Island of love rests in wait for me somewhere in a leafy Nairobi suburb.

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Aisha “Kidosho Wa Afrika” Mugo

I struggled to write this bio about myself.

Maybe because when asked who I am, I am not one, but rather a culmination of the people I've met, the places I've been and the experiences I've embodied. Maybe I am a reflection of the countries that have given me my names- young, confused, restless, unstable.

So maybe I should start from the beginning. I am Aisha Wanjiru Osob Mugo, I was born in Kenya and currently reside in Cape Town, South Africa where I study at the University of Cape Town. I am a Somali-Kenyan or Kenyan-Somali whom has struggled with identity in the past, only to realise that actually, I struggled to accept myself in more ways than one. Recently, I have started reclaiming my identity and I am accepting of my origins and heritage, for all that they are and all that they are not. I am embracing who I am and who I hope to become. Most importantly I am finally learning that the concept of "home" is not permanent, but rather a feeling that can be carried with you where ever you go.

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Irene Namuganyi

My name is Irene, born and raised in Kampala, Uganda but currently working as a software developer in Cape Town, as I pursue a part time M.B.A. I go by @irenexplores on social media because of my interest in a couple of things; outdoor adventure, food, technology, business and photography. I enjoy the creativity that comes along with using my camera, so that's photography and making videos. As a proud East African, I love the diverse rich cultures and the general friendliness of East Africans, especially Ugandans. ;) Plus, the food is amazing!

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Shari Mwanika

My name is Shari Mwanika, I am 19 years old, born and raised in Uganda, and currently a student at The University of Cape Town majoring in Film & Television, and Psychology. If I could sum up my interests in one word, it would be gonja! When I can't have that, I take pictures. My hope is to use my art and passions to chronicle my home and its people, paying homage to our rich history and writing a few chapters of our own. Six Degrees from Home for me is new but anticipated territory, and I am beyond excited to capture the gold that I will encounter.

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Stephanie “Kenyaa” Mzee

My name is Stephanie Wanjira Mzee, creative name, Kenyaa. I am a young Kenyan-South African writer and creative based in Cape Town, South Africa. I completed Matric in 2015 and decided to take a year off to further my art before I went into my studies, thus applying and acquiring an internship at an Events company. I began photography in grade 10 and realised I have a passion for Film, conceptual design, Art Direction, Art and storytelling and wanted to be around these things full time. I have thus far completed 3 photo series’ namely African Pride, DUST and PAPERCUT. I am also one 3rd of Vantage, a creative trio that focuses on brand promoting and content curatorship. Being a part of this awesome team consisting of Chanezh Manuel and Morgan Rhoda, I have completed 4 photo shoots with them for separate brands and hosted an event recently for one of the brands that turned out to be successful. Next year I hope to study Film or Art Direction.

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Faye Kabali-Kagwa

I am a people person who struggles to get along with people. I craft words dangerously, sometimes beautifully, but very often unintentionally. I am interested in representation and re-enactments. In the agains. I want to know what changes, what happens, how we feel when we do things again. I am also interested in the never-agains, and the never-should-be's and how their existence is rebellion. What I would love to do is find ways of using artistic expression as a mediator for dialogue and the exchange of ideas.

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#6DFH

The name Six Degrees From Home plays on the theory of six degrees of separation, which is the premise that we are all no more than five human connections away from anyone else in the world. Six Degrees From Home posits that for those in the Diaspora we are all no more than one/two/three/four/five people, languages, cities, countries, or seas away from home.

Six Degrees From Home