Fiest’Art Oct 2019: the birth of the WAKAFU order

Saturday, October 19, 2019 turned out, against all our expectations, to be a very important date for the Ultimes Griots team. All the more so since most of the people registered [to visit the Grand-Bassam museum] pulled out at the last minute.

It was somewhat predictable. Going to the museum is far from a super appealing activity (around here). Especially not on a sunny Saturday. However, the event answered one of our challenges. Namely, to give our museums a trendy edge.

A warm welcome

Out of 25 people initially, in the end 17 of us set off for Grand-Bassam. Very quickly, conversations and bursts of laughter were flying all over the bus. It was as if we had all known each other since childhood. At 10 a.m., we were under the reception shelter of the National Costume Museum of Grand-Bassam.

Mr. Ekra, our host, introduced the museum, telling its history and its purpose. Above all, he did not fail to congratulate us on our initiative. Once this step was over, it was the make-up artist’s turn to enhance the participants with her skills.

Touring the museum in search of inspiration

At 11:30 a.m., the visit could begin. Two (02) groups were formed. Each group’s mission was to draw inspiration from the museum’s pieces to create the clothing style of Jaaro, one of the characters in book two of our “Ultimes Griots” comic book.

Likewise, they had to design that character’s house following the same principle: drawing inspiration from the museum’s pieces. All while justifying their choices, by giving the reasons that inspire and justify the creations.

A guide was assigned to each group, and all that was left was to travel back through history. To follow the marvelous paths of passionate, vivid storytelling. Stories brought to life by the beautiful pieces of the museum. You would have thought the pieces were even nodding their heads in agreement with the stories the guides were telling.

A few hours later, the sun had joined the gathering in its finest colors. The time had come to present the teams’ work. Off to the beach, where shade, fresh air and the soothing sound of the waves awaited us. Three ingredients to boost the imagination and creativity of both groups: the AKAFOU group and the WAKANDA MISTRAL group.

Co-creating clothing and architectural styles

Once at the beach, the members of each group got together to work on their projects. The exchanges between teammates were often interrupted by fits of laughter. Then everyone went back to the soft murmurs of competitive concentration.

An hour went by, and the shimmering smell of alloco wafting through the air disturbed the groups’ concentration. It was time for “dabali” (the meal)! And since good things never come alone, an old man turned up with his balafon and began to strike the melodious assembly of wood.

Little by little we started moving our feet until we formed a circle around the artist. Dance steps joined in, then, with the last strokes of the balafon, it was time to present the work. The groups took their places and the presentations began. We said goodbye to the”papa na balafon” while taking care to keep his number 🙂 

The designs were beautiful and original. All of them made us dream. So we decided to include them in book two of the Ultimes Griots comic. After that, the end of our visit was drawing near. The sun was heading home and it was time to go back.  

It was also important for the whole team to mark this gathering with a unifying gesture. So, one after another, each person marked with a brush or their fingers a canvas that would become the founding symbol of the WAKAFU. WAKAFU being the fusion of the names of the two groups (AKAFOU & WAKANDA MISTRAL).

Long live the WAKAFU order, this is only goodbye for now…

On the way back, the atmosphere was calm. It was the perfect moment to talk about Ultimes Griots: the motivations, the team and the aspirations. The members joined in, sharing ideas and their feedback.

From now on, we share a common goal: promoting African culture through comic books. To cement our alliance, cowrie bracelets were handed out as symbols of belonging to the WAKAFU. 

WAKAFU: we are promoting African narratives

See you at the next edition!