An Art Movement Built on Ancestral Wisdom | Jackie Lebo | TED

Overview

Filmmaker Jackie Lebo explores the intersection of ancestral wisdom, cultural identity, and artistic collaboration in Turkana, Kenya. Through storytelling, art, and music, she highlights the profound connection between humanity and the environment, emphasizing the importance of shared values and creative partnerships.

Notable Quotes

- True connectedness and participation in something greater than ourselves contribute immensely to happiness, self-worth, and reaffirm our humanity. - Jackie Lebo, on the transformative power of collaboration.

- Without descendants, who'd tell our stories when we were gone? - Jackie Lebo, reflecting on the importance of cultural continuity.

🌍 Cultural Identity and Marginalization

- Turkana, located in northern Kenya, has historically been marginalized, with post-independence policies favoring the agriculturally rich south.

- The discovery of oil in Turkana has brought renewed attention to the region, but the local people prioritize water, security, and preserving their pastoralist way of life over oil revenues.

- Jackie Lebo shares her personal connection to nomadic pastoralism through her grandfather’s stories, emphasizing the deep cultural significance of greetings like How are the children? How are the cattle?

🎨 Collaborative Art Inspired by Turkana

- Instead of focusing solely on a documentary, Jackie Lebo and her team created a larger collaborative project involving ten artists—five from Nairobi and five from Turkana.

- Their journey through Turkana included visits to oil fields, fossil sites, and natural landmarks like Lake Turkana, fostering inspiration for art rooted in the region’s culture and environment.

- The collaboration resulted in projects like “The Flyest Wedding in Africa,” which reimagined traditional attire, and “Floating, Flying,” a photo series inspired by Lake Turkana.

🛠️ Rethinking Ownership and Sharing Models

- Turkana’s cultural organization into units called “Ere” emphasizes custodianship over ownership, inspiring new models of resource sharing.

- This approach influenced the team’s creative process, aligning their work with values of connectedness and mutual respect.

🎶 The Nomadic Arts Festival and Music Projects

- Facing challenges in showcasing their collective work, the team launched the Nomadic Arts Festival to celebrate ancient and contemporary art forms.

- Music projects like “Eloto” and “Ateker” emerged from this initiative, blending traditional themes with modern artistry.

- The festival and music collaborations have become a platform for sharing Turkana’s rich cultural heritage with a broader audience.