I am currently writing the libretto of an oratorio that will address the fatal crossings of the Mozambique Channel and the Mediterranean Sea by Comorian nationals who are trying to reach either Mayotte or Marseille (also called the “capital” of the Comoro islands or the “the largest Comorian city” since at least 10% of its population are of Comorian origin).
This oratorio will be based on the narratives produced by survivors and families who lost members at sea that I gathered in the Comorian islands of Ngazidja/Grande Comore and Nzuani/Anjouan, Maoré/Mayotte and Marseille. Indeed, Comorian nationals either travel/migrate for family, health care, social, asylum seeking or economic reasons to Mayotte by crossing the narrow 70 kilometers inlet between Anjouan and Mayotte, and many attempt to reach Marseille by flying to either Northern or Western Africa before crossing the Mediterranean.