Okaidja Afroso: Jaku Mumor

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Okaidja Afroso's distinct musical sound hails from the shores of Ghana, combining ancestral traditions and contemporary African music. His Jaku Mumor project dives into his cultural roots by collaborating with Gadangme fishermen to share the full artistry of their a cappella singing and chants that awaken the spirit of the human soul.

His artistry is grounded in traditional dance & rhythms with modern harmonies & updated lyrics. The performance includes footage captured in Ghana with the fishermen. Segments of the film, including singing and interviews, are incorporated into the live performance. One of the main themes of the program is the exploration of indigenous views on the element of Water, the sanctity of Fish, and the role of music, dance, and storytelling in Gadangme culture. Okaidja will use this opportunity to foster conversations about the challenges facing indigenous communities across the globe, such as the impact of rising seawater levels around fishing communities, as well as the effects economic development has on cultural preservation. Through this project, Okaidja hopes to learn and share indigenous resiliency practices or methods both for the sake of the American indigenous community and for him to bring back to Ghana and share with the Gadangme fishermen.

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