Indianola, MS – The Sankofa Empowerment Initiative (SEI) is proud to announce the premiere table reading of Adire: The Beauty in Our Land, a collaborative script that celebrates Africa’s rich heritage in cotton manufacturing, cultural preservation, creativity, and economic opportunity. This groundbreaking project—authored by students from two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the United States in collaboration with peers from universities in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Germany—will debut at the 29th Edition of the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) from February 22 to March 01, 2025.
The reading, held before a live audience in Ouagadougou and streamed globally, brings together themes of cultural pride and sustainability. Under the guidance of Cheick Oumar Sissoko, acclaimed director and former Minister of Culture, and Kevin Arkadie, celebrated Hollywood script supervisor, Adire bridges African and Diasporic narratives to tell a story of historic unity, resilience, and creative innovation.
The title Adire: The Beauty in Our Land refers to the traditional art of Adire, which means “tie-dye” designs on organically grown cotton using natural dyes. This centuries-old practice is deeply rooted in African culture, symbolizing creativity, resourcefulness, and sustainability. Adire designs are both an art form and an economic opportunity, representing Africa’s unique ability to marry heritage with innovation.
The project highlights cotton’s central role in African economies, particularly in countries like Burkina Faso, one of the continent’s largest producers of organic cotton. Adire’s intricate tie-dye designs serve as a metaphor for the beauty and potential of Africa’s land and people.
Drawing parallels to the Cotton Kingdom of the Mississippi Delta—where cotton’s legacy is interwoven with the Blues sound and culture—the project emphasizes the deep connection between Africa’s cotton industry and the Diaspora’s cultural identity. Legendary musician Ali Farka Touré’s concept of Wallaidu, referring to the soulful expression of longing and connection in music, is echoed in the project’s themes, underscoring how cotton and the Blues reflect Africa’s creative spirit and historical journey. Wallaidu, as told by Touré, is not just art—it is the soul and essence of our being, whispering to us that we are part of something far greater than ourselves.
At its core, Adire is a call to action for sustainable development and economic empowerment. The project shines a light on the potential of Africa’s cotton industries, encouraging local manufacturing, job creation, and creative entrepreneurship. By promoting the use of organic cotton and natural dyes, Adire advocates for environmentally friendly practices that honor the land while driving economic progress.
The narrative also underscores the intersection of culture and commerce, showing how traditional practices like Adire has evolved into global cotton industries, and fashion houses; but don’t necessarily celebrate African heritage, while supporting the livelihoods of millions outside of Africa. The potential for commerce in Africa is huge.
Thomas Sankara, former President of Burkina Faso and Founder of the Paul Robeson Diaspora Prize for FESPACO, expressed a profound vision for African and Diaspora historic preservation through film. He once stated:
“The experiences of what we have lived, do live, and are suffering ... is the cry from the heart of our ancestors.”
This project embodies Sankara’s call to action by intentionally crafting narratives that honor the dignity of Africans and preserve their historic legacies and cultural contributions. Adire: The Beauty in Our Land seeks to fulfill this vision by creating purposeful and deliberate scripts that bring the wisdom of the past into conversations about the present and future.
The table reading will take place during the 29th Edition of FESPACO, the largest and most prestigious film festival in Africa. Students will participate both virtually and in person, making this a historic moment for cross-continental collaboration, and virtual hand-shake in agreement for Africa’s future. This is the first time such an experiment has been attempted, offering a platform to explore the fusion of traditional, modern, and futuristic storytelling.
The collaboration doesn’t end with FESPACO. Following its debut, the final script for Adire will transition to production in Nollywood, the vibrant heart of Africa’s film industry. This ensures that the story of Africa’s history of cotton, culture, and economic resilience will reach audiences across the world, amplifying its message of empowerment, agency, and traditional pride is still respected.
The Adire project is part of the larger Sankofa Challenge, an initiative to retrieve and honor the wisdom of Africa’s ancestors while inspiring future generations. It celebrates the dignity of African heritage, blending past, present, and future to create narratives that empower individuals and communities.
As Dr. C. Sade Turnipseed, the visionary behind the project, explains:
“Adire is more than fabric—it’s a reflection of Africa’s resilience, beauty, creativity, and cultural contributions. Much like the concept of Wallaidu defined by Ali Farka Touré, Adire expresses a soulful longing and connection to the land, to heritage, and to the economic possibilities that arise when creativity and culture align. The magic of Wallaidu is it doesn’t just evoke emotion—it creates connection. It reminds us of what we’ve forgotten, of what we’ve lost, and of what we still carry within us. By celebrating cotton, we honor the land and the creative spirit of our ancestors while building economic opportunities for future generations. This project connects the rich legacies of Africa to the entrepreneurial potential of today and into the future. Adire represents the Beauty in Our Land; and is A Tribute to Africa’s Cotton and Cultural Heritage.”
The Sankofa Empowerment Initiative (SEI) and its partnering institutions and agencies: KHAFRE, INC; Bel Art Cotton-Africa; Burkina Faso Ministry of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism; Pan African Film Festival, Ouagadougou (FESPACO); National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP/Nollywood); Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU); New Dawn University (NDU); Ghana Academy of Film and Television; Jackson State University (JSU-COLA, ISJRR), et al, is committed to fostering cultural and economic empowerment across African and Diasporic communities. Through projects like Adire: The Beauty in Our Land, SEI illuminates Africa’s profound heritage, its vast economic potential, and its role as a global cultural leader.
