In November 2007, during the expressions again art tour, Kambani Arts shot scenes for the follow-up documentary to "Voices of the Unheard". It is entitled “Sounds of Silence” and looks into the rich historical and cultural heritage of Nigeria in contrast with a critical exploration into the transatlantic slave trade. The theme of art and slavery is a silent one and the documentary aims to make noise about this and bring some of the hitherto untold facts to life.

The Emir of Kano hosted artists and children which created the platform for the documentary, with historians giving some invaluable oral tradition accounts of the rich diversity of Nigeria's cultural heritage.  Children engaged in creative writing centred on cultural history. They also engaged in educative workshops and historical question and answer sessions  at the Gidan Makama museum which helped re-enact important turning points in the history of Nigeria.

Slave History will form a central theme for the documentary.  The Museum of Slavery in Calabar provided the research base that will enable the facts be represented accurately. Children's interactive workshops and role play was themed on an the slave trade in an era when John Newton was a slave trader in Calabar. (In 1772, John Newton wrote the words to the worlds most famous hymn - Amazing Grace - following his conversion to Christianity and on reflections of his time as a slave trader. The hymn has its origins in an Efik tune he heard whilst he was in Calabar). 

Artists represented images of slave culture and art history in diverse media whilst children explored the same through expressions of fashion, drama, creative writing, readings, dance and music.

The documentary will provide a powerful insight into the history of African art and the reality of slavery and its impact on the transformation of life into what it is today.

Some international music stars are contributing to the documentary by providing short music clips that will be used as background sound whilst editing the final feature. Kambani Arts aims to mix all these tracks into a mainstream rap tune, featuring unknown artists and with the copyright permission of  contributing international stars. Proceeds from the tune will go into realising the core mission of Kambani Arts - the provision of an international platform for the promotion of African art.

© Kambani Arts 2007