Abayudaya
The moving tale of the Ugandan Jews, called the Abayudaya, is described by photojournalist Richard Sobol:
For four generations the Abayudaya Jewish Community in Eastern Uganda has survived despite numerous hardships. Living in virtual isolation until the early 1990′s these struggling subsistence farmers have observed Jewish customs and celebrated the Sabbath and Festivals of the Jewish calendar together as families. Guided by their faith in the Jewish Laws of the Torah, they pray together in mud huts designated as synagogues and chant Hebrew prayers to an Afro beat. Spread out over many miles, the 600 members of this community have held on to their beliefs through civil wars and periods of religious intolerance. Although their faith has at times added to their economic perils, they affirm the power of religion each day, in a life filled with dignity and grace.
(Image © Richard Sobol and used with permission. All rights reserved.)
Richard’s photos are luminous with the human spirit.
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Richard’s site, with some of his photos.
Richard’s book, Abayudaya: The Jews of Uganda.
This wiki entry tells the remarkable tale.
The centerpiece, and not to be missed: You can hear the Abayudaya’s music here. The music reminds me of Paul Simon’s work with South African musicians. The Abayudaya’s music is sweeter, lighter, and more resonant.
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Tangentially related, but of great interest, is this bhtv online discussion about faith and its relation to science. Nick Wade, NYT science reporter, is enormously informative.
