Title of the show: Kanga Nianzé

Under the direction of Jenny Mezile, an Afro-descendant choreographer of Haitian origin, the festival and its central piece, Kanga Nianze, are conceived as essential acts of remembrance, aiming to address the gaps in historical education.

Based on the site of Kanga Nianzé in Côte d’Ivoire, a place of tragic passage where captives underwent a ritual “washing” meant to erase their identities before being deported from Grand-Lahou, this multidisciplinary artistic project pays tribute to the deported ancestors.

Through dance and literature, Jenny Mezile and her team explore the dehumanizing realities of slavery and the complexities of contemporary mixed heritage, transforming a painful past into a cultural bridge for younger generations, empowering them to reclaim their history and shape their destiny.

Country : Côte d’Ivoire