As a female Muslim artist from a region marked by deep-rooted religious conservatism and patriarchal structures, Mekawei’s compositions reflect the tension between external conflicts and internal struggles. Her music serves as both a form of expression and a means of resistance, particularly within a society where creative freedom is often stifled—particularly for women.

Drawing from the complexities of life at Egypt’s geographic and cultural borders, Mekawei explores themes of refuge and repression. While Egypt provides physical safety to many escaping violence in neighbouring countries, her work highlights the layered experience of those who arrive seeking sanctuary yet find themselves facing new forms of suppression. This duality—between safety and struggle—parallels Mekawei’s own experience as an artist challenging societal norms while creating space for self-expression within a restrictive environment.

Mekawei’s soundscapes delve into the emotional and psychological nuances of these experiences. Through her use of field recordings from border regions and the sonic representation of liminal spaces, she captures the tension between danger and protection, her compositions transforming these aurals into powerful reflections of both external conflicts and internal battles for autonomy.

• 658, by Yara Mekawei

• 658, by Yara Mekawei