Etobicoke Residency & Mabelle Arts

In 2005, Jumblies moved to Central Etobicoke, Toronto, at the invitation of Mike Liposwski, Curator of Montgomery’s Inn, located down the road from Mabelle Avenue: a high density, cluster of seven low-income rental towers, four of which are operated by Toronto Community Housing (TCH). The diverse tenants include a large Muslim population from Somalia, South Asia and the Middle East. 

In order to base the project where the people lived, Ruth negotiated with TCH staff to occupy a derelict office suite rent-free in one of the Mabelle buildings (5005 Dundas). Ruth was introduced to Faduma Alim: Mabelle tenant, Somali refugee, linguist, politician and daughter of renowned Somali poet Hawa Jibril,  who literally opened doors to the Mabelle Somali community, and became an invaluable cultural guide and close friend. 

The culminating production, Bridge of One Hair, interwove the poetry of Hawa Jibril (sung and spoken, in Somali and English translation), and of Duke Redbird (Indigenous poet), the European folk tale of Mollie Whuppie, and community members’ tales of bravery. 

Unusually for a community production, the show took place, not in the project’s home location, but in downtown Toronto, as part of Harbourfront Centre’s New World Stage Festival, with a fleet of rented buses transporting the large multi-generational cast and audiences from Mabelle. This experience taught us that it’s possible and enjoyable for people to travel from one community to another, as long as relationships and trust are built, and transportation is provided, and emboldened Jumblies for subsequent cross-city and inter-community excursions. 

Bridge of One Hair also enabled the publication of Saa Waxay Tiri - And Then She Said: The Poetry and Times of Hawa Jabril:compiled by Faduma Alim, with editorial and translation assistance and illustrations by Ruth Howard, and funding from Toronto Community Housing.