Between Lake and Sea

December 7th 2022
Video
Region
Togo
Researcher
Source
Yao Bobby & Simon Grab
Formats
Installation
Music
Performance
Disciplines
Inter-arts
Performing art
Social studies
Themes
Listening as activism
Wisdom Keepers

Agbodrafo, a small fishing village on the coast of Togo in West Africa, brings together fishermen from the lake and sea

The lake fishermen are from Benin and carry within them the roots of voodoo, the whispers of the earth, and the mysteries of the still waters. The ocean fishermen are from Ghana and have inherited rhythm, the strength of the voice, and a desire to go beyond the horizon. Agbodrafo tells many stories … of the founding ancestors and deities … of the slave trade … of a new generation looking for itself in traces of the past … of obstacles encountered and a possible future. Yao Bobby and Simon Grab and their team are listening to and recording the fishermen’s chants, local storytellers, and dancers within their sound environment. The resulting sound collage will be shared with the community at Agbodrafo’s cultural center in the form of public radio shows that will be moderated and include live sound and music elements.