Posted by Abdul Rashid

Wan Fambul/One Family Benefit Album Artist Profile – King Britt

This profile of King Britt is the third entry in our new Artist Profile series, intended to introduce each contributing musician featured on the Wan Fambul/One Family benefit album. This compilation is available for a donation, with all proceeds going to the groundbreaking grassroots peacebuilding efforts of Fambul Tok in Sierra Leone.  Take a look at last Thursday’s profile of Bombino, and be sure to keep an eye out for our next post, Eccodek!

Wan Fambul/One Family features King Britt’s powerful remix of Bombino’s song  “Ahoulaguine Akaline,” available now as a free bonus download when you like Fambul Tok on Facebook.

King Britt

King by name, King by nature; King Britt is a truly pioneering musician who is widely recognized a member of the royal elite of the Dance Music world. Based in Philadelphia, King Britt has been breaking the traditional boundaries and forging a unique path as a producer, musician, DJ, label boss and media revolutionary for over 20 years.

King has always found a way to escape the strictures of any single category of music by working across genres such deep house, hip-hop, broken beat, nu-jazz, funk and afro-tech. Releasing his first record (E-Culture – ‘Tribal Confusion’) in 1990, King went on to tour worldwide with Digable Planets – the Grammy award winning hip-hop fusion band – whilst continuing to develop his love of Dance Music culture and laying the foundations for his prodigal solo career.

In 1994, alongside Josh Wink he launched Ovum Recordings and also formed Sylk130 – a collective of Philadelphia’s finest musical talent including Lady Alma, Alison Crockette and Ursula Rucker. He produced Sylk130′s first album (‘When The Funk Hits The Fan’), which went onto sell over 500,000 copies and essentially provided the blueprint for the Philly Neo-Soul resurgence.

In addition to these achievements, King is one of the world’s most respected remixers. He has added his unique touch to hugely diverse range of artists such from Miles Davis, The O’Jays and Curtis Mayfield through to Macy Gray, Solange, Femi Kuti and Everything But The Girl. King has also scored and underscored music for films, TV series and commercials. In 2007 he became the first DJ to be awarded the prestigious Pew Fellowship.  King is also a Creative Cultural Ambassador for his hometown of Philadelphia.

As a DJ, King Britt is hugely versatile – a chameleon behind the decks.  He has toured extensively across and throughout Europe, the U.S. and the Far East as well as rocking premier nightspots throughout the world.

Most recently King Britt has just released Yesterday’s Machine by Saturn Never Sleeps, a collaboration with science fiction singer Rucyl Mill. The Saturn Never Sleeps project which incorporates, primarily, a unique live show fusing audio and visuals into a thought provoking world of sight and sound, and is also an independent record label. King has also recently produced the new Bedouin Soundclash LP, a track for the new King Sunny Ade album and a number of remixes for the likes of Preservation Hall Jazz Ensemble featuring Mos Def, Glitch Mobb, Jay Haze and Dilouya.

While King does not consciously use his music to bring about social change, he instead feels “just the act of creating is a form of social change.  Music has been my vehicle to travel and be a storyteller through djing and performing… We see [conflict] daily in our own lives, close to us.  Everyone seems to either be at war with themselves or their environments.  Music seems to bring the people together for a purpose and allows interaction and reaction.”

When asked to define his political philosophy, Britt responded: “I really stopped thinking about politics in the structured sense and I try to think about frequency and resonating with people’s inner voice instead of the outer.  As soon as you begin to think in a structured political sense, you start to lose purity in purpose.”

Britt sees himself as “just a messenger that is a conduit for divine intervention…. I am sending sound from a higher place.  I think it is important for everyone to remain open, you will be surprised at what you will discover about yourself and others.”

To learn more about King Britt, visit his webpage.

Click here to learn more, sample or download Wan Fambul/One Family.

Bio compiled by Marshall Henry of Modiba Productions.

Posted by Abdul Rashid

Wan Fambul/One Family Benefit Album Artist Profile – Bombino

This profile of Bombino is the second entry in our new Artist Profile series, intended to introduce each contributing musician featured on the Wan Fambul/One Family benefit album. This compilation is available for a donation, with all proceeds going to the groundbreaking grassroots peacebuilding efforts of Fambul Tok in Sierra Leone.  Take a look at Tuesday’s profile of Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew, and be sure to look out for our next post, King Britt!

Wan Fambul/One Family features Bombino’s song  “Ahoulaguine Akaline.”  In addition, King Britt does a powerful remix of this track, available soon as a bonus feature when you like Fambul Tok on Facebook.

Bombino will be performing in Portland, ME at the University of Southern Maine’s Hannaford Hall on Wednesday, April 4. Representatives from Catalyst for Peace will be at the concert, and copies of the Wan Fambul/One Family benefit album will be available for donation. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the concert’s event page.

Bombino

Omara “Bombino” Moctar is known as one of the greatest guitar players and performers in the Sahel and Sahara regions, where he has a wide following.  He was born in 1980 into a family of nomadic Tuareg herders living in the region of Agadez, Niger, at the edge of the Sahara.  Following the outbreak of the Tuareg Rebellion in 1990, Bombino, along with his father and grandmother, were forced to flee to neighboring Algeria for safety. By 1997, Bombino had returned to Agadez and began his life as a professional musician.

In 2007 tensions grew again in Niger and ultimately erupted into another Tuareg Rebellion. The government, hoping to thwart the rebellion in all its forms, banned guitars for the Tuareg, as the instrument was seen as a symbol of rebellion. Additionally, two of Bombino’s fellow musicians were executed, thus forcing him into exile.

While Bombino lived in exile in Burkina Faso, filmmaker Ron Wyman, having heard cassette recordings of his music, decided to track him down. Wyman encouraged Bombino to properly record his music. Bombino agreed, and the two of them produced an album together in Agadez. The recordings culminated in his album Agadez, released in April 2011 which debuted at the top of the iTunes World Chart.

In January 2010, Bombino was able to return to his home in Agadez.  To celebrate the end of the conflict, a large concert was organized at the base of the Grand Mosque in Agadez, having received the blessing of the Sultan. Bombino and his band played to over a thousand people at the concert, all dancing and celebrating the end of their struggle.

Bombino explains that Niger’s problems stem from “the arbitrary African borders drawn by the colonial countries at the end of the colonization period in the middle of the 20th century.”  These borders did not take into account different ethnic groups and there has been a constant struggle to achieve national unity within Niger.  Despite having the largest uranium supply in the world (located in the Tuareg’s Agadez region), Niger ranks 167th of 169 nations on the United Nation’s Human Development Index.  Bombino blames this in part on an unnecessary and expensive military convoy that is used to protect the transportation of the materials in the region.  Bombino identifies finding a way to share the profits from the sale of uranium and employing local residents in the mines (instead of hiring people from others areas) as extremely important issues within Niger.

For Bombino, music provides an opportunity “to speak about [the Tuareg’s] problems and propose solutions to resolve them according to what I see and what I have experienced…  I also sing about the war and its consequences on our life in order to contribute to the peace process.”  Bombino’s popularity is a source of pride for both the Tuaregs and the entire country, which Bombino thinks will eventually help the Tuareg community gain political power ­– and ultimately allow them to collaborate with the government and create solutions for the community’s problems (for example, limited water supplies, medical infrastructure and quality schools.)

Bombino explains that “The Tuareg music is like Tamasheq (our language) or Tifinagh (our alphabet) because they are the most important elements shared by the Tuareg in all countries.  They are our identity, [which creates] a strong link. Our music is the same because it brings all the Tuareg together. After the second rebellion in Niger, we played music at weddings for people of other ethnicities. All these peoples loved the music, they danced together and renewed their relations by accepting each other in spite of their differences.”

Bombino wants his audience to understand that “the desert is the most beautiful and peaceful place in the world.  I invite anyone to discover it.  [The Tuareg] are one of the most open cultures and we are ready to share it with the world through music.”

To learn more about Bombino visit his webpage.

Click here to learn more, sample or download Wan Fambul/One Family.

Bio compiled by Marshall Henry of Modiba Productions.

Posted by Abdul Rashid

Wan Fambul/One Family Benefit Album Artist Profile – Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew

This profile of Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew is the first entry in our new Artist Profile series, intended to introduce each contributing musician featured on the Wan Fambul/One Family benefit album. This compilation is available for a donation, with all proceeds going to the groundbreaking grassroots peacebuilding efforts of Fambul Tok in Sierra Leone.  Coming up next, Bombino!

Wan Fambul/One Family features two songs by Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew – “Wi Na Wan Fambul” (which also features Angie and Jocelia) and “Gun Thing.”  In addition, Eccodek does a powerful remix of “Wi Na Wan Fambul,” available as a bonus feature when you share about the album with others.

Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew

After packing the National Stadium for performances in their home country of Sierra Leone and contributing music to the Academy Award–nominated film Blood Diamond, African superstars Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew are poised to conquer the global airwaves with their upcoming international debut album and their unique sound, which blends the swagger and funk of hip-hop, the passion and energy of dancehall, and the socially conscious vibe of reggae. The group has generated so much buzz in the hip-hop world that major stars including ?uestlove and Black Thought of the Roots, Talib Kweli, K’Naan, Res, and El-P have contributed their vocal and/or production talents to the upcoming release, helmed by the production team Fyre Department (whose credits include 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, GZA, Talib Kweli, Justin Timberlake). With this great collection of creatives, Bajah’s own star is rising as the Sean Paul of West Africa with the social conscience of Bob Marley and Fela Kuti.

So much more than just another hip-hop outfit, Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew have been likened to another band renowned internationally for speaking out against political and social injustices: U2. In Sierra Leone, now emerging from the throes of a brutal 10-year civil war, Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew are hailed as “the voice of the voiceless,” speaking truths on behalf of those people who have no political power, spreading messages of peace and reconciliation, outing corrupt politicians, and inspiring the disenfranchised youth to pursue their dreams. “We always speak about real stuff, like the suffering, what is going on,” says the group’s frontman, Bajah, “So most of the youth, the fans, are going crazy over it, because they think it’s the reality—that’s how it is. So they show mad love at times.”

Love is another theme of their music, and the joy and love their legions of fans have shown them comes through in their energetic, powerful live performances. The Crew—which consists of Bajah, A-Klazz, and Dovy Dovy in the U.S. and the Jungle Leaders (Funky Fred, Dell, and Sly) back in Sierra Leone—started writing, recording, and performing together in 2000, and quickly rose to the heights of fame in their home country, where everyone from young schoolchildren to village elders have come out to support Dry Eye’s music and message—often going to extremes to show these national heroes love and respect.

Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew see their music as a tool for helping to unify the divisions caused by the Civil War because it is a “way to tell stories, share history, unify people and help them focus on something positive.” Their goal is to “unify the masses, preach non-violence, and stand for change and development within Sierra Leone.”  They feel the most important issues Sierra Leone is currently dealing with are encouraging peaceful elections, building towards better infrastructure to develop their economy, education of the youth, health education and sanitation.  The songs “Ease di Tension,” “Salone,” and “Batta Dae Nak” (As The Beat Goes Down….) were written in anticipation of the upcoming national election to “encourage everyone to vote peacefully like one Family.”

The inaugural performance of Batta Dae Nak (titled on the album as “Wi Na Wan Fambul”) is featured in this behind-the-scenes look at the album, which also includeds Bajah’s inspiring reflections on the power of music to impel peace.

To learn more about Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew visit their webpage.

Click here to learn more, sample or download Wan Fambul/One Family.

Bio compiled by Marshall Henry of Modiba Productions.

Posted by Solomon Yarjoh

Fambul Tok Urges Government to Declare March 23rd National Reflection Day

Fambul Tok International – Sierra Leone has again called on the Government of Sierra Leone to declare March 23rd an annual day for national reflection.

Executive Director John Caulker addresses the press

Addressing a press conference on Thursday March 22, 2012 prior to the day’s commemoration, Fambul Tok Executive Director John Caulker, said that the clarion call to commemorate March 23rd had earlier been re-echoed by stakeholders who think that the government should set aside this day for Sierra Leoneans to reflect on what happened during the war and how they can work to forestall the recurrences of what most believe to be the saddest chapter in the history of the country.

“As we commemorate another anniversary on 23rd March, 2012, we urge Sierra Leoneans to reflect on what happened during the war. Why Sierra Leone went down that path of destruction,” says John Caulker.

“March 23rd is connected to every Sierra Leonean, either directly or indirectly as the rebel conflict in the country touched everyone irrespective of ethnic or political affiliations. Therefore, never again shall we take weapons against each other to destroy our beloved country. We should sit together, dialogue and put the sad chapter behind us,” the Executive Director emphasized.

Attendees of the press conference listen to John Caulker's remarks

Caulker explained that as Sierra Leoneans go to the polls on November 17, 2012 to vote for their councilors, council chairmen, parliamentarians and President for the next five years, Fambul Tok urges all Sierra Leoneans to exercise their franchise peacefully without violence.

“The 2012 elections are not far away; therefore we are calling on all Sierra Leoneans to make a commitment and ensure violent free elections. Let us see ourselves as brothers and sisters irrespective of our different political backgrounds (wi na wan fambul-we are one family),” he stressed.

He went on to tell journalists that violence is still happening, referencing the political violence that has been plaguing the country for the past couple of months. The issues that originally led the country to war are still around, Caulker observed, stating that March 23rd can be used to prevent recurrences of violence, noting that people can use this day to reflect as to what happened and also create space for wrongdoers to apologize to their victims.

Posted by Abdul Rashid

Great Music for a Great Cause – Download Our New Benefit Album TODAY!

At film festivals and Fambul Tok community screenings the question we are asked over and over is, “How can I help?” Well, now there’s a direct way to support the people of Sierra Leone and their groundbreaking, grassroots peacebuilding program, Fambul Tok. And best of all, you can groove while you’re at it!

We are thrilled to announce the release of our brand-new benefit album, Wan Fambul/One Family, available exclusively via our website. The only way to get this high energy and inspiring mix is by donating to Fambul Tok – and the minimum donation is just $10. All proceeds (as in 100% of your donation!) from this album go directly to the Fambul Tok program on the ground, supporting the ordinary people of Sierra Leone and their extraordinary practice of reconciliation.

The gifted musicians on this album share more than talent – they have all seen conflict and now sow peace.  With the help of our friends at Modiba Productions, they have added their voices to a high-energy, urgent call for forgiveness and deep dialogue — a call to live as One Family. They exemplify the creative spirit that can accomplish the seemingly impossible. From edgy DJs to soulful singer-songwriters, from hard-hitting reggae outfits to transnational pop explorers, they believe in the power of ordinary people – entire communities ravaged by war – to work together to forge a lasting peace.

Visit FambulTok.comWanFambul to preview tracks from these amazing musicians: Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew, Abjeez, the Idan Raichel Project and Vieux Farka Toure, Vusi Mahlasela, Bhi Bhiman, Mashrou Leila, Bombino, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, Dengue Fever, Saba Saba, and Noble Society.

Interested in learning more about the backstory of the album, and the significance of our March 23rd release date? Read our blog post about the release.

And then — Donate and download. Sing, dance and tell your friends — it’s like having your own personal benefit concert, right in your living room.  Spread the word and help music power peace.

Posted by Libby Hoffman

Sneak preview of Wan Fambul/One Family benefit album

Tomorrow is the big day!  The Wan Fambul/One Family Benefit Album will be released tomorrow, March 23rd.  Click to see a sneak preview of what’s in store:


The video includes footage of Sierra Leonean pop icons Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew performing “Wi Na Wan Fambul” (We Are One Family), a rousing call for the country to unite in a commitment to violence-free elections, and the opening track on the new album.

This footage was shot a year ago, at the March 23 African premiere of Fambul Tok, in Bomaru, Sierra Leone — the place where the war began exactly 20 years earlier on March 23, 1991.  Bomaru is also the place where the Fambul Tok program began, on the same date in 2008.

We continue the commemoration of March 23rd with this launch.  Be sure to check your email tomorrow for the official announcement!

Posted by Solomon Yarjoh

Sierra Leonean Journalists Trained on Conflict-Sensitive Reporting

Journalists will now be reporting better stories on conflict in Sierra Leone and beyond following the recent involvement of Fambul Tok International-Sierra Leone.

Fambul Tok, with support from a conflict-sensitive consortium led by World Vision International in Sierra Leone, organized a two-day conflict-sensitive training session for over forty members of the fourth estate in both electronic and print media across the country. It commenced at the Grassroots Gender Empowerment Movement Hall in Freetown on March 28-29,2012.

The training was conducted by Mr. Isaac Massaquoi, Head of the Department of Mass Communications at Fourah Bay College, and Mr. Joshua Nicol, a part-time lecturer at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone. These two seasoned facilitators are members of Sierra Leone’s Independent Media Commission.

In his remarks at the opening ceremony, the Executive Director of Fambul Tok International-Sierra Leone, John Caulker, said that the training is meant as an orientation for practicing journalists, inspiring them to brainstorm and share experiences, especially when national elections are due to be held in November of this year. Caulker said that members of the media have a crucial role to play in the time leading up to the elections and throughout the electioneering process. He said the role of journalists is critical and therefore warned them to be mindful of how they go about reporting sensitive issues such as religion, elections and other matters, as well as stressing the need for the training, adding that it was geared toward raising awareness and shaping the skills of media practitioners well ahead of the country’s elections.

In his presentation, Mr. Massaquoi condemned what he referred to as ‘fire brigade journalism,’ where journalists only act when there is trouble. He said journalists should report stories that can transform society and help consolidate the peace process in Sierra Leone, emphasizing that the media has the ability to transform and also influence society.

Mr. Nicol mentioned the role of the media in peace building, as it plays a vital role in strengthening the prospect of peace and weakening the chances of renewed violence. He touched on the overall goal of peacebuilding to enhance the capacity of the society to manage conflict without violence.

The lead person of this conflict-sensitive consortium, Fred Goba of World Vision, stated that media personnel play a vital role in society, adding that the consortium deemed it fit to train journalists on pertinent issues.

The journalists were then divided into three groups and given different case studies.

Group one identified political issues, power strikes, deaths and migration as problems affecting the community. The group proffered solutions to the various issues raised, including:

— The law should not be taken into one’s own hands.

— Investigations should be allowed to go on independently.

— Human rights should be observed, especially that of equality before the law.

— Democratic principles must be observed.

— The existence of unity in diversity should be maintained and honored.

— Progress should be the ultimate goal of development.

Group two critically examined religious issues in the community. Some of the issues highlighted were hate speech and religious tolerance. The group gave a number of solutions to address the situation, and according to the Independent Media Commission there should be:

— Respect for religious beliefs (Tolerance)

— Accurate reporting and condemnation of hate speech

— Acceptance of other means of settling conflict instead of resorting to violence

— Promoting reconciliation through dialogue.

Group three carefully looked at a variety of issues, such as:

— Rehabilitation of ex-combatants,

— Appropriate ex-combatant behavior and method of reintegration,

— The dangers of exclusion from decision-making processes

As solutions, the group, however, suggested that in order to bring peace to the community, it is crucial to:

— Check and monitor the rehabilitation package

— Incorporate ex-combatants into community activities and policy-making processes

— Maintain frequent dialogue.

The training concluded with the presentation of certificates to participants by Search for Common Ground Country Director and member of Talking Drum Studios in Sierra Leone, Ambrose James.

In response to recent criticism of this training, Fambul Tok International – Sierra Leone issued a press release, which can be read here.

Posted by Libby Hoffman

Fambul Tok featured in March 2012 issue of Accord

Fambul Tok is featured in (and on the cover of) the latest issue of Accord, Conciliation Resources’ signature publication. An article by John Caulker goes in depth into the origins, processes and future plans for Fambul Tok.

Posted by Solomon Yarjoh

Peace Mothers celebrate support for fish farming

As a way to empower rural women in the country in accordance with this year’s theme “Empower rural women-end hunger and poverty”, Fambul Tok International-Sierra Leone, with funds from Catalyst for Peace, and Tides Foundation in the United States has supported Peace Mothers in Koinadugu, Kono and Moyamba districts to start fish farming in their various communities.

The women received cash donations last Thursday, March 8, 2012 during the celebration of this year’s International Women’s Day in Heremakono village,Wara Wara Yagala chiefdom, Koinadugu district. Fambul Tok’s Human Resources and Administration Officer, Mrs. Eberonke Jones, distributed funds to Peace Mothers in Kono, Moyamba and Koinadugu districts, whose members were joined by other Peace Mothers to celebrate the day.

In her keynote address, Mrs. Eberonke Jones explained the International Women’s Day is a day which creates a space for women to reflect on their achievements, be it social, economic or politically. She stressed that women are very important and play vital roles towards the development activities of any country.

She went on to state that to make this year’s theme a success, Fambul Tok decided to support women to start fish farming in Kono, Moyamba and Koinadugu districts. Mrs. Jones explained, however, that the fish farming network will be extended to other sections, and urged Peace Mothers to make good use of the money, adding that it is a revolving scheme that will benefit other communities as the fish business grows.

Speaking on the purpose of the celebration in Koinadugu, Fambul Tok Koinadugu district staff member Zainab Kamara said that Fambul Tok decided to bring women from all of its operational communities so that they can interact, share ideas and celebrate their achievements in various realms of life. She said that Fambul Tok continues to support Peace Mothers in their various sections, adding that almost all Peace Mothers groups in Koinadugu and other areas have harvested their crops already.

Explaining the concept of the fish farming network, Fambul Tok Moyamba district staffperson Isatu Masu Sesay stated that the idea was conceived during the Fambul Tok Peace Mothers’ cross-district visit to Shenge, Kargboro, Moyamba district. She went on to call on beneficiaries to be honest in their new trade. After receiving the funding on behalf of these beneficiary communities, Margaret Mansaray of Heremakono section,Wara Wara Yagala chiefdom, Koinadugu district praised Fambul Tok’s support of  their agricultural activities, exclaiming “We were not expecting such agenerous amount and on behalf of beneficiary communities, I thank Fambul Tok.”

Madam Adama Kalokoh, Chairlady of Peace Mothers in Bombali district said Peace Mothers in Masongbo section in Makari Gbanti chiefdom have successfully planted eight acres of cassava on their own without external support. She called on other peace mothers in Bombali district to embark on any activity by stressing that “If you want organizations to assist you, you have to start.”

Posted by Abdul Rashid

Fambul Tok 2012? Now that would be interesting!

[This blog is a re-post of the blog Sara wrote for the On Screen/In Person tour, organized by Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts.  Fambul Tok is a featured film on that tour, and Sara’s been traveling the mid-Atlantic region for screenings and some lively conversations.]
March 9, Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, Annapolis, MD

Kony 2012 didn’t really come up tonight – no one in the small, but engaged, audience had encountered the viral phenomenon, and its counter conversation. But I couldn’t help reflecting on it once again, as I have continually for the past few days, and what it says about how we tell stories and engage with them in a culture that is increasingly driven by multi-tasking, texting, 140-character bites of information.

Kony 2012, to my sense – and to others who’ve been critiquing the campaign – makes it all too simple: here’s a bad man, hurting poor Africans, and if we in the West can stop him, the world will be a better place. And buying a bracelet, and making Kony as famous as George Clooney, is going to be a big part of making us all feel better about doing something important to make the world a better place.

Now, I’m oversimplifying in some ways here, too. But that’s pretty much the gist of the campaign. It doesn’t engage in, or encourage, a discussion of the complex realities of the situation; of who the “bad guys” are, or even of who the “good guys” are (the assumption is that we in the West are the good guys); it most certainly does not reflect the thoughts or desires of Africans, who don’t even get to speak for themselves (except for the one formerly abducted child soldier whose story features in the film).

But I love the dialogue that’s been launched by this campaign, and I do hope that a generation of young people will become more aware of the world we live in, and more committed to being a partner in finding solutions to the challenges that face us all. But that requires deeper thinking than what the Kony 2012 campaign is asking of us, and I’m not sure how we encourage that kind of journey. I’m concerned by the rush of information in the world today – and the oversimplification of critically important issues into tweets and “likes.” We have got to give much more of ourselves to understanding complex issues, and learning how to deal with them in ways that may push us out of our comfort zone, causing us to critique our own assumptions and perhaps even to adopt new frameworks for understanding how we engage with the world.

Which brings me to Fambul Tok. What I love about sharing this documentary is that it never, ever leaves an audience without a host of questions. Post-screening conversations go on for a half hour to an hour or more. Based on the 82 minutes they’ve just spent watching a film that allows Africans to speak for themselves – that explores cultural solutions to justice and reconciliation that fly in the face of Western norms – audience members find themselves grappling with all kinds of questions: How is this kind of forgiveness possible? What is the role of community in supporting this kind of reconciliation? Is it possible for us to do something similar in the West? Do we have something to learn from Sierra Leone, and Africa? Is the West really getting it right with its overarching priority on prosecution and punishment? What role does apology and forgiveness have in our own lives?

None of these questions – and the soul-searching, transformative wrestlings required to begin to come up with answers – are the stuff of viral campaigns.  But I do believe they spark the kind of thinking that will lead us to become more constructively engaged in the world, and will help us learn how to be better partners in the process.

Fambul Tok 2012? Now that would be interesting!