The Other Sahel: Artists in Mali, Niger and Burkina FasoCEFR B1
4 Sept 2025
Adapted from Laura, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Tavanaa afrashteh, Unsplash
The Sahel is a large region that international media often present mainly as a place of armed conflict. The documentary "The Other Sahel" seeks to change that view by focusing on artists and cultural entrepreneurs in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.
Joël Hevi, a Togolese journalist and cultural entrepreneur, made the film as part of the African Union Media Fellowship. In an interview with Global Voices he said he wanted to give a voice to local creators who turn limits into opportunities. The documentary is short, lasting 3:56.
The film follows people who use art to build community, express ideas and support social change. It shows Espace Boul Yam in Ouagadougou and the Récréâtrales festival (24 October to 2 November), a pan-African space for theatre writing and creation. It also features photographer Zerbo Siaka (Fasky) and his exhibition on women’s issues.
Hevi faced obstacles: road travel had become risky, there were subtle forms of censorship and two artists refused to be filmed. Building trust took time and help from journalist colleagues, and these difficulties reinforced the film’s message about resilience.
Difficult words
- entrepreneurship — The activity of starting and running a business.
- cultural — Relating to the ideas, customs, and social behavior of a group.
- resilience — The ability to recover from difficulties.
- documentary — A film that provides a factual report.
- community — A group of people living together.
- festival — An organized series of events celebrating something.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How can art contribute to social change?
- In what ways can the media shape perceptions of a region?
- Why is it important to showcase cultural diversity?
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