The Other Sahel: Artists in Mali, Niger and Burkina FasoCEFR B2
4 Sept 2025
Adapted from Laura, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Tavanaa afrashteh, Unsplash
The Sahel stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea and is often shown in international media as a zone of armed conflict. "The Other Sahel — The Resilience of Artists in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso" offers a different perspective by highlighting creativity, talent and community action across the region.
The film was made by Joël Hevi, a Togolese journalist and cultural entrepreneur, and produced as part of the African Union Media Fellowship. In a face-to-face interview with Global Voices, Hevi said he wanted to give a voice to local creators who turn limits into opportunities. The documentary lasts 3:56.
The film follows artists, creators and cultural entrepreneurs who use art to build community, express ideas and support social change. It shows how cultural projects can stimulate local economies, strengthen solidarity and create spaces for young people and women to express themselves. Examples include:
- Espace Boul Yam initiatives in Ouagadougou
- Récréâtrales festival in Ouagadougou, 24 October to 2 November, a pan‑African space for theatre writing and creation
- Photographer Zerbo Siaka (Fasky) and his exhibition on women’s issues
Hevi reported that travel between towns had become risky, that he faced subtle censorship and that two artists refused to take part. Gaining trust required time and help from journalist colleagues. The director says these obstacles ultimately reinforced the film’s message: resilience and creativity are deeply rooted features of Sahelian societies and practical responses to daily challenges. The documentary asks viewers to rethink stereotypes and to recognise culture as a tool for social transformation, and it calls for more attention to local actors and their initiatives.
Difficult words
- resilience — ability to recover after difficulties or problems
- creativity — skill of making new or original ideas
- entrepreneur — person who starts and runs new projectscultural entrepreneur
- documentary — a film that shows real events or facts
- censorship — official or unofficial control of published information
- solidarity — support and unity between people or groups
- initiative — new action or plan by people or groupsinitiatives
- stereotype — fixed and often unfair idea about peoplestereotypes
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How can cultural projects help local economies and strengthen community solidarity in the Sahel? Give examples based on the article.
- What challenges do filmmakers and artists face in the Sahel, and what steps helped Hevi gain trust during filming?
- Why is it important for international media to show perspectives beyond conflict, such as the one in this documentary? Give reasons.
Related articles
Community Playlist Supports Nate Matias’s Charity Ride
Global Voices community members built a playlist to support Nate Matias as he cycled the equivalent of 10,000 meters in elevation over three days to raise money for Global Voices. Contributors explained their song choices and honoured the ride’s Nepalese roots.
