BFA+MFA 2021

Yolkkh – The Story of My People

Amna Yandarbin

Yolkkh – The Story of My People

MFA in Design

Folklore, myth and legend often spring from stories rooted in historic events. Yolkkh is a project designed to tell a story—my story and the story of the Noxci people. It takes the form of silk headscarves, each one illustrating a specific scene and moment in time. Noxci are the people who Russians refer to as, “Chechens;” a label picked up by the Western media. As a Muslim, I have witnessed the way the Western media tends to dehumanize my community. By telling the story of my family I seek to counteract Islamophobic tendencies and engender empathy. The story of my family highlights efforts to preserve our native Noxci identity, despite the most painful events, including war, migration, violence and death. The visual story begins with my mother’s childhood. As the narrative reaches its climax, the focus shifts from my mother’s experience to my own, depicting scenes from my childhood and continuing through to visions of my future. Through this project I seek to give a voice to the Noxci community and to spread awareness. Furthermore, I wish to inspire other minority cultures worldwide—oppressed victims of racism and colonization—to stand up and share their stories. Yolkkh posits storytelling as a way to inform and connect with audiences in powerful, empathetic and inherently human ways. This project marks the beginning of my journey as a designer-activist, committed to giving voice to minorities worldwide, regardless of faith. I start by telling my story, hoping that others will follow.