Documentary Educational Resources - Geography / Africa / Nigeria / All Films

Deep Hearts

Thu, 30 Aug 2018 07:04:00 GMT

Deep Hearts is a film about the Bororo Fulani, a nomadic society located in the central portion of the Niger Republic of Africa. The title is a reference to an important aspect of these people's thought and demeanor. The Bororo are immensely beautiful. They are also extremely envious of each other's looks. This envy accounts for their truly suspicious nature; one which leads quickly to feelings of fear. They are particularly fearful of being 'devoured' by both the eyes and mouths of those around them with whom they compete as beautiful creatures. The concept of a deep heart is useful because it accommodates their fears by providing a metaphysical space in which to hide their true feelings.

Deep Hearts describes the Gerewol, an occasion during the rainy season when two different and competing lineages come together at a designated watering place to choose the most 'perfect' Bororo male. It is close to being a physical and moral beauty contest in which the winner, selected by a maiden of the opposing lineage, is acclaimed the 'bull.' The film is also an attempt to let this ceremony of the Bororo be a way of speaking to the larger question of choice itself, something which confronts all human beings at all times.

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Mammy Water

Tue, 28 Aug 2018 14:49:00 GMT

Mammy Water
Buy Now: $320.00

Mammy Water is a pidgin English name for a local water goddess worshipped by the Ibibio, Ijaw, and Igbo speaking peoples of southeastern Nigeria. The water goddess traditionally gives wealth and children, compensates for hardships, and is sought in times of illness and need, especially by women. Her various cults are led, predominantly, by priestesses.

This acclaimed documentary shows numerous rituals and ceremonies associated with Mammy Water, while devotees provide commentary. This is an important depiction of the strength of traditional religion in contemporary Nigeria and one of the few academically sound investigations of the role of women in an African spiritual movement.

“The most important ethnographic film on the region to date... I highly recommend it for courses in African anthropology and religion, art history, and women's studies.”
— Prof. Sidney L. Kasfir, Dept. of Art History, Emory University

“Superb and fast-flowing. It's nearly perfect.”
— Dr. Robert Farris Thompson, Yale University, author of Flash of the Spirit

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Owu

Tue, 28 Aug 2018 13:51:00 GMT

Owu
Buy Now: $320.00

Witness an uncompromising portrait of a young man's initiation into a men's secret society. It begins with the elder griot and praise singer talking about the origins of the "Owu" society. Two keepers of tradition, the griot and the town's oldest woman and female griot, Ezenwanyi (Leader of Women), narrate this film continuing their role as commentators in the life of the village.

Owu explores the pluralistic lives of Africans as they come up against westernized Christian influence. Many significant rituals are filmed for the first time. The program shows respect for the subject's traditions.

“Owu: Chidi Joins the Okoroshi Secret Society is a fabulous journey that takes us through ceremonies and rituals of initiation into the secret and select society of the Igbo people of Nigeria... This film says it all. It accurately underscores the need for growth, the need for societal influence, traditions and practices... highly recommended for various disciplines in the Liberal Arts: Anthropology, Ethnic/African Studies, Art History, African Literature, Religious Studies, Women's Studies, African History and Civilization. (Owu) is a rare treasure in the annals of ethnographic documentation.”
— Michael C. Mbabuike, Visual Anthropology, Vol. 13.

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That Our Children Will Not Die

Mon, 27 Aug 2018 08:57:00 GMT

That Our Children Will Not Die
Buy Now: $320.00

Nigeria, with over 75 million people, is the most populous state in sub-Saharan Africa. It is also among the most richly endowed in natural, mineral, and oil resources. In spite of rapid modernization, Nigeria continues to have one of the highest mortality rates in the world, particularly among children and mothers. Many of the health problems that afflict the population are in fact preventable, such as malnutrition and infection, fever, diarrhea, coughs. In many cases simple cures are effective and easily administered by non-professionals. This film, sponsored by the Ford Foundation and produced by the Institute of Child Health of the University of Lagos, examines three different community-based approaches to the delivery of primary health care services in culturally and geographically distinct regions of Nigeria.

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Tubali

Mon, 27 Aug 2018 08:57:00 GMT

Tubali
Buy Now: $320.00

The beautiful architecture of Hausa cities in Northern Nigeria is examined in this film. Local builders, architects, and a museum curator explain the development of the Hausa style and traditional methods of construction. Master craftsmen and their apprentices show how traditional architectural forms influence contemporary design. Hausa building technology, as well as the social, religious and aesthetics of Hausa architecture are also discussed.

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