Little Amal is welcomed by the Nipmuc People in Ashfield, MA

[EN ESPAÑOL ABAJO]
Little Amal, a 12-foot-tall puppet, was welcomed in Ashfield on Sunday by members of the Nipmuc Nation in a symbolic and emotional ceremony. Little Amal, whose name means hope in Arabic, is a puppet representing a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl. Her tour of the United States began in Boston on September 7th and will continue through various parts of the country until reaching San Diego on November 5th.
Around 1:00 p.m., the puppet, operated by three artist performers, arrived sitting on a hay cart at Ashfield Commons. One of the artists is inside the body of Amal, controls her head, and facial expressions, and walks on stilts. The other two artists control each one the movements of Amal's arms and hands, in an intuitive, and astonishing exercise of synchronization and coordination, combined with great physical skill to give life to this girl full of curiosity, and who also likes to dance.
Amal was greeted by Larry Spotted Crow Mann and his family, who on behalf of the Nipmuc Nation offered her gifts, including a small handmade basket and cedar as medicine.
A circle formed where Amal listened to the welcoming ceremony with sacred songs by Larry Spotted Crow Mann and his family. Larry Spotted Crow Mann reminded the hundreds of people gathered that “everyone deserves a home and a safe place to live” in a show of solidarity and shared experiences by communities that have experienced being displaced.
Later, Little Amal walked along the main road of Ashfield, followed by the crowd that welcomed her with joy, singing, music, and different expressions of support. Once she arrived at the lake, she was greeted by two Nipmuc members who offered her gifts and sang to her.
Little Amal has become a global symbol of human rights, especially those of refugees. Since 2021, Amal has traveled to multiple cities and towns in various countries. Her journeys are events of art and hope that draws attention to the many children fleeing war, violence, and persecution, each with her own story. Her urgent message to the world is "Don't forget about us."
To learn more about Little Amal and her travels, visit walkwithamal.org/
ESPAÑOL
La Pequeña Amal, una marioneta de 5 metros de altura, fue recibida el domingo en Ashfield, MA por miembros de la nación Nipmuc en un simbólico y emotivo evento de bienvenida.
La Pequeña Amal, cuyo nombre significa esperanza en árabe, es una marioneta que representa a una niña refugiada de Siria de 10 años de edad. Su recorrido por Estados Unidos comenzó en Boston el 7 de septiembre y continuará por varios puntos del país hasta llegar a San Diego el 5 de noviembre.
Alrededor de la 1:00pm, la marioneta operada por tres artistas, llegó sentada en un carro de heno al parque de Ashfield Commons. Uno de los artistas que la opera, se encuentra dentro de la figura de Amal y controla la cabeza, sus expresiones faciales y camina en zancos. Las otros dos artistas controlan cada una el movimiento de sus brazos y manos en un ejercicio de sincronización y coordinación, combinado con una gran destreza física para darle vida a esta niña llena de curiosidad, emoción y a quien también le gusta bailar.
Amal fue recibida por Larry Spotted Crow Mann y su familia, quienes en representación de la Nación Nipmuc le ofrecieron regalos, entre los que incluían una pequeña canasta hecha a mano y hojas de cedro como medicina.
Después se formó un círculo donde Amal escuchó la ceremonia de bienvenida con cantos sagrados por parte de Larry Spotted Crow Mann y su familia.
Larry Spotted Crow Mann recordó a los cientos de personas congregadas, que “todo mundo merece un hogar y un lugar seguro donde vivir” en una muestra de solidaridad y de experiencias compartidas por parte de las comunidades que han vivido la experiencia de ser desplazadas.
Después la Pequeña Amal caminó por la carretera principal de Ashfield, seguida por la multitud que la recibió con alegría, cantos, música y diferentes expresiones de apoyo y bienvenida. Una vez llegó al lago, fue recibida por dos miembros Nipmuc quienes le ofrecieron regalos y le cantaron.
La Pequeña Amal se ha convertido en un símbolo mundial de los derechos humanos, especialmente los de los refugiados. Desde 2021, Amal ha viajado a múltiples ciudades y pueblos en varios países. Sus viajes son eventos de arte y esperanza que llaman la atención sobre la gran cantidad de niños que huyen de la guerra, la violencia y la persecución, cada uno con su propia historia. Su mensaje urgente al mundo es "No te olvides de nosotros".
Para conocer más sobre los viajes de la Pequeña Amal puede visitar walkwithamal.org/

[@CindyKinney]

This was magnificent and respectful. I was riveted.

[@user-vj4ey2ze9f]

Hermosas palabras.fantastico grande

[@estelarojas3907]

Hermosa amal❤

[@theresaromeo5484]

This is the coolest thing I have seen in a while. That is how a welcome is done. A lot of communities all across this country welcomed refugees but it was mostly a quiet affair. Boise , Idaho took a good number of families. My job hired a Syrian man n he has since be ame a citizen . Even after he was here n settled into a somewhat normal life again he was always worried about how safe it was day to day . The trauma he lived thru with his family will probably never leave him.

[@rosaspanjol673]

Really amazing 😘

[@lindalvafreitas4206]

Eu amo esta boneca, e uma pena eu não falar a lingua deles ❤❤