Pan Africanism

This session featured a stage reading of Jude Idada's revolutionary text Sankara followed by conversations and performance presentations from the audience.

The stage reading brought back most of the Sunday April 22, 2018 cast who first perfromed the play at the shell hall of
MUSON Center Onikan Lagos.

The play condesed four years of Sanakra's time as Head of State of Burkina Faso – The Land of Upright Men. He transformed the country from a dusty Sahel waste land of want and deprivation into a bustling self-reliant economy that was brimming with cultural, social and historical renaissance. The play also described the plans of the coup and his eventual death. 

This served as solid ground to begin an enquiry into the philosohy and its practicality in todays modern Africa.
 

Pan Africanism is a concept which at its core champions the unity and solidarity of people of African decent

Pan-Africanism remains a powerful yet contested idea. While it advocates for unity, empowerment, and a return to traditional values, it has faced criticism for homogenizing diverse African experiences. A key moment in its history is Festac 77 in Nigeria—a grand celebration of African culture and identity. Costing $800 million, it showcased African self-determination and placed Nigeria on the global stage. Another was the rise and fall of Thomas Sankara a revolutionary leader and former president of Burkina Faso, known for his radical policies on anti-imperialism, self-sufficiency, and women’s rights. Often called "Africa’s Che Guevara," he championed Pan-Africanism and fought against corruption, colonial influence, and economic dependency. This program encourages us engage with the ideals and critiques of Pan-Africanism, exploring its history, complexities, and future.

This session was curated by Gothe-Instutut Library and Didi Museum