Africa: Meet the African Comic Book Heroes Taking the World By Storm
[RFI] The African presence in the world of comic books and graphic novels is sparse, but Ivorian author Marguerite Abouet is changing that. Thanks to her characters Aya and Akissi, both from the suburbs of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, a new generation of ro…
Uganda: Uganda’s First Grammy Nominee Eddy Kenzo Gives Hope That Everyone Can Succeed
[RFI] Ugandans are routing for 33-year-old singer Eddy Kenzo, nominated for Best Global Music Performance at tonight’s Grammy awards in Los Angeles. Just being nominated has left him speechless, he says.
Africa: Africa’s Top Cinema Event Announces Strong Lineup for Competition
[RFI] From Angola to Senegal, no fewer than 15 feature-length movies have been nominated for the top prize in next month’s Fespaco pan-African film and television festival, held in Burkina Faso.
West Africa: Kora Virtuoso SONA Jobarteh Bucks West Africa Gender Trend
[RFI] The kora – a stringed instrument that combines the features of a lute and a harp – is traditionally reserved for men in West Africa, but that hasn’t stopped British-Gambian artist Sona Jobarteh from carving out her own place alongside its greates…
Africa: African Biennale of Photography in Mali Defends Culture Despite Difficulties
[RFI] Despite a security crisis in the West Africa and Sahel regions, Covid-19, and diplomatic tensions with France, organisers of the African Biennale of Photography have managed to put on the Pan-African exhibition in Bamako, Mali in the spirit of re…
Guinea: Welcome to Kalabanté, an African Circus in Montreal
[RFI] When dance, acrobatics and percussion meet, the result is Kalabanté – a circus company created in 2007 by Guinean artist Yamoussa Bangoura. RFI met him at the Nuits d’Afrique festival in Montreal.
Cote d’Ivoire: France to Return Restored Ivorian Drum Stolen By Colonial Settlers
[RFI] Restoration works on the Djidji Ayôkwé, or “talking drum”, have now been completed in Paris. The artefact, stored at the Quai Branly museum, is ready to be returned to Côte d’Ivoire under a restitution plan promised by President Emmanuel Macron.
Nigeria: Paris Exhibition Celebrates Fela Kuti, the Rebel King of Afrobeat
[RFI] The Paris Philharmonie is paying homage to Fela Kuti, pioneer of Afrobeat – a musical current that emerged from Nigeria in a swirl of postcolonial enthusiasm, experimentation and political rebellion. A major exhibition traces the origins of Fela …
West Africa: Epic Starring Benin’s Agojie Women Warriors Packs a Punch in Hollywood
[RFI] Benin’s historic female warriors known as the Amazons of Dahomey are legendary across West Africa. They are now in the international spotlight thanks to “The Woman King” starring Viola Davis. The big budget Hollywood feature has drawn positive re…
Kenya: Talking Walls Use Art to Spread Peace During Elections
[RFI] As Kenya’s presidential and parliamentary candidates vie for office in the final frenzied week of campaigning, others worry about life after the elections.