Set of photographs #33
Commentary from Participant
1st Photo – Picture of sign for housing estate “Lisnahull Park” where Participant #36 has lived since she came to Dungannon 5 years ago. Participant #36 said that she calls Lisnahull “my home”.
2nd Photo – Photo of Cross on side of road – memorial to a fatal car accident. Participant #36 stated that they have these in East Timor too. This photo reminds Participant #36 of East Timor. She said that they have similar memorials in East Timor.
3rd & 4th Photos – Newell Stores and Tesco’s [supermarkets in Dungannon]
Tess asked why they were important to Participant #36. Participant #36 stated that as she doesn’t drive these shops are close to home especially Newell Stores. Participant #36 stated that Tesco has greater variety and is cheaper than Newell Store which is much closer to her house.
5th Photo East Timorese Shop – Malumera Shop – Participant #36 explained that this is one of two East Timorese “specialist” food shops. Participant #36 gave examples of the different types of food that she can purchase there including Coconut leaves. Tess mentioned that even a few years ago there were no specialist food shops in Dungannon. Tess explained that even garlic was something that was not readily available up until a few years ago.
Participant #36 explained that when she first came here the “chillies” that she bought from Tesco were different to what she would have purchased in East Timor. Participant #36 explained that she would have bought chillies in the Indian shop up until the East Timorese shop opened. Participant #36 was happy that there were better supplies of E.T. food now than when she first arrived.
Tess commented that the supply was much better, because there was a greater demand for ET food and ingredients. Tess and others within the group agreed that learning to cook food from other cultures helped people to integrate.There was a discussion on the growth of merging cultures through food e.g. curries and potatoes – Tess mentioned how English cooking was inflected by other cultures as a result of its imperial presence in many parts of the world, especially India.
Participant #36 spoke about how people from East Timor like to visit her if she is making ET food. That seems to be a big attraction for many people from ET.
Tess: Food is a language to communicate and mix with other cultures. Tess added that there is also a togetherness when cooking food from own culture and inviting friends from home around.
6th Photo – Coconut Leaf
Participant #36 stated that East Timorese people use these leaves for special occasions including Christmas. Participant #36 said she would order these 2-3 months before Christmas just to make sure that she receives them.
Tess: Food has a ritual significance for get togethers e.g. Coconut leaves at Xmas. Food is and can be a part of who you are, can give you a sense of identity. Participant #36 noted that the Banana Leaf is used in Indonesia during Ramadan.
Tess acknowledged the diversity of ET and Indonesia. Tess also mentioned the Sri Lankan Poet – Dabydeen . Sri Lanka is also very diverse culturally.
Photo 6 – St Patrick’s Chapel – Participant #36 attends every Sunday. Participant #36 also said she goes to the Chapel when she feels sad and/or to pray, she feels a connection within the Chapel.
Participant #36 explained that the one difference between services in Dungannon and ET is that they are much longer in ET and more in-depth.
Photo 7 – Cemetry at Carland Road, Dungannon – it’s the graveyard where people from ET go to lay flowers for as a memorial to those who have died recently in ET and also as a memorial to those who have died years before. Participant #36 explained that this is done on the 2nd November each year. Participant #36 explained that the day before this they make food and have the flowers set alongside the food. The food is eaten and the next day the flowers are laid in the graveyard.
Tess: Discussion around celebrating the dead – similar to that in South America known as Día de Muertos or Día de los Muertos.
Tess spoke about the way Ireland holds a Wake when someone dies, this tradition could be of pagan origins.
Photo 8 – Bureau de Change – Participant #36 said that this is how she sends money home to East Timor. It is a link with home.
Photo 9 – First Steps Women’s Centre – Participant #36 explained that this is a “very good place”. “They don’t have a place like this at home”. Participant #36 explained that it is very expensive to learn English in ET. She found FSWC very nice and that the creche was very important, really vital.
Tess: Tess explained that the support is very important and that learning a language can be seen as something for “privileged people” i.e. those who have money.
Photo 10 – Flags – Participant #36 explained that to fly certain flags in ET you would have “haters” and get into trouble.
Tess: This can and has also happened in NI.
Photo 11 – Bus Stop – Participant #36 very happy about the fact that there is a bus stop outside her house. This is where her daughter gets the bus to school. Participant #36 explained that there was no bus for school in ET and that some families can’t afford to send their children to school because of the cost. She also mentioned how children can be sent to school and get nothing to eat all day until they go home.
Photo 12 – Photograph of a vase containing papier mache flowers – this was made by her husband.
Tess thanked Participant #36 for her photographs and spoke about the fascinating change and openness. “You have a message from us in your photos that state that “we’re open, welcoming”. Tess spoke about how the photos shown also indicate a “preserving of one’s own identity”. Tess spoke about the difficult journeys that people have to make . Tess reminded the group of how Ireland at one time sent Missionaries out over the world. Tess also spoke about the men and women who left Ireland for work across the world.
Tess stated that the “Biggest, Biggest change” was that “we have become a place that receives immigrants”.