Photos: Isseu Diouf Campbell
We are the endless roar, a cultural journey to Nigeria produced by Joyce Ademuwi, screened on December 13, 2019 at the National Black Theatre in Harlem.
Joyce Ademuwi originally put the project on paper in 2015 but it was not until August 2018 that the travelogue made into a movie was shot in the Nigerian regions of Osogbo, Ife, Argungu and Ikun.
“I wanted African-American people to know about Nigeria,” said Ademuwi. “I wanted them to see Nigeria through my eyes and the eyes of the African-Americans who went with us. There is so much about us people of African descent that has not been to the fore, our power, our strength and our relationship with God from the beginning.”
“I wanted people to understand that African traditional religion is not fetish. It is a way of life that God gave us but was demonized by the western world for their selfish interest.” Ademuwi added
Joyce Ademuwi made the journey with Tami Tyree and Maleeka A. Harris, two African American women who were taking their first trip to Africa and Ifa Nigerian Priest Dr. Ifagbenusola Atanda for guidance.
“The experience was groundbreaking and very unique,” said Tyree. “It’s all about who you are with. I didn’t want to do the tourist thing. This trip made me feel a lot more centered.”
Maleeka A Harris, Ademuwi’s chief of staff, always wanted to go to Africa so when the opportunity presented itself, she jumped on the opportunity.
“I was empowered,” said Harris. “The way they treat the elders. It made appreciate what I have back home.”
Beside the cultural aspect, Joyce Adewumi also wanted African Americans to know about the investment possibilities in Nigeria.
“The black community has less than 5% of the wealth of the nation because the wealth is governed by white America,” said Adewumi. “White America has been enriched by Africa so I wanted to encourage black Americans to also invest in Africa and have a stream of income other than depending on what white Americans are willing to give them.”
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