My Life Before Govanhill: Intibint
“Despite studying my master’s degree in migration, it is only through experience that I was able to understand how badly the UK immigration systems affect people.” In our series that explores the lives of people who have made Govanhill their home, we spoke to Intibint an artist and musician from Yemen.
Interview by Marzanna Antoniak
How would you describe your cultural heritage?
I identify as both Yemeni and British as I spent most of my childhood in Sanaa (Yemen’s capital) and London. They are both big cities but each has its own individuality and character, and they both taught me a lot about the disparities between the standard of living in a wealthy country like the UK compared to a country like Yemen, known as the poorest in the Middle East.
Ever since moving out of my mum's flat in West London, I started to realise that I needed to be more intentional about integrating my Yemeni culture into my life, especially as I live with my partner who’s from elsewhere. I’ve placed items that remind me of Yemen all around my house and more recently I’ve learnt to cook a lot of my favourite Yemeni dishes. This has worked very well and has assured me that connecting with my cultural heritage is something that I want to continue and expand on.
How did you enjoy spending your time as a child and what gives you pleasure now?
I have always been interested in art. Growing up, I loved to draw and I did it very often. I was generally a quiet kid, so I preferred activities that let me be in my own little world. Drawing, painting, and making music all allowed for that. This was also important because I have a big family and there was always a lot going on, which I did really enjoy, too. I have fond memories of going to the parks in London with family and our friends on Eid, as well as making up dance routines to Arabic songs and photo collages with my cousins in Yemen. These days, I enjoy making music and all forms of art which I started sharing in 2018 on my Instagram page @intibint.
What about your education?
I went to school in the UK, Yemen, and Switzerland. It was challenging because I moved school at least once every three years, but it also means that I got to learn three languages well and gained insights about life in different places. It’s important to learn about how things function outside of the places we know and how what we do impacts other parts of the world, especially if you live in the West. This has all been part of my education growing up. As an adult, I attended the University of Sussex and studied media practice. Later, I went to SOAS University of London to study Migration Mobility and Development. I really enjoyed both and feel extremely lucky to have been able to take them.
What about your working life?
I have had several jobs, including in many retail stores, but also had the opportunity to work on larger projects as a translator and researcher for BBC Arabic. Recently, I worked at the Scottish Refugee Council which was a challenging but eye-opening role. Despite studying my master’s degree in migration, it is only through experience that I was able to understand how badly the UK immigration systems affect people. I now work at Migrant Voice, and I work on new music at the same time.
What made you come to Scotland?
Being in nature is something that I value a lot! Whilst I loved London, I did constantly find myself feeling a little bit lost in this big and busy concrete jungle and I didn’t enjoy that too much. Ever since I first visited Scotland and got to see the beautiful nature it had to offer, I told myself that one day I would move here.
How do you feel in Govanhill?
I love it. I love how multicultural it is. It’s great to hear multiple languages walking down Victoria Road where I can find all the ingredients for my Yemeni food.
What is your dream?
This may sound cliche, but it is world peace. It would be nice to finally go home to Yemen without fear, and be able to actually visualise a life there. I always saw myself moving back there after university, but then the war started during my second year and I haven’t been back since. It really would be a dream come true to be on a flight home to a peaceful Yemen whilst sharing that feeling and experience with all the other people whose homelands have been suffering too.