The Other Sahel: Artists in Mali, Niger and Burkina FasoCEFR A2
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. International media often focus on conflict, but a new short documentary shows a different view.
The film was made by Joël Hevi, a Togolese journalist and cultural entrepreneur, and was produced under the African Union Media Fellowship. It follows artists and cultural entrepreneurs in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso and shows projects that build community and help local economies.
Examples include Espace Boul Yam in Ouagadougou, the Récréâtrales festival (24 October to 2 November) and a photo exhibition by Zerbo Siaka (Fasky) about women’s issues. Making the film was difficult because travel was risky and some artists refused to take part.
Difficult words
- conflict — A serious disagreement or struggle.
- creativity — The ability to make new ideas or things.
- art — A skill or product of creative activity.
- community — A group of people living together or sharing.communities
- economy — The system of production and consumption in a place.economies
- empower — To give power or confidence to someone.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How do you think art can bring people together?
- Why is it important to support local economies?
- What other ways can young people be empowered in communities?
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