TheSojourner1883

15/08/2026

15/08/2026

THE SOJOURNER EP. 11 - National Theatre, (Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts) Lagos, Nigeria

This film is part of "THE SOJOURNER", an independent documentary series capturing Nigeria’s cultural landmarks and festivals from aerial and ground perspectives.

This episode documents the post-renovation National Theatre, Lagos .. commissioned in 1973 and completed in 1976 by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The building’s iconic design was inspired by a military parade cap and the Palace of Culture in Belgium, and it was constructed to host FESTAC '77: The Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture, the largest gathering of Black people for arts and culture in history.

Through cinematic drone work and narrative, the piece explores themes of preservation, public memory, and national heritage. The National Theatre stands as a monument to Pan-African identity and Nigeria’s role as a cultural leader.

The series aims to create a visual archive for future generations and spark conversation around conservation of African heritage sites.

16/05/2026

The history of the Lagos Fanti Carnival can be traced to the 1800s, when freed African slaves returned to Lagos from Brazil.

The Sojourner: Documenting truth, culture, and everyday stories — one frame, one journey, one story at a time.

28/04/2026

POV: Before the drums start, the work begins

The Lafiaji family, descendants of Afro-Brazilian returnees, grooming their horses for Fanti Carnival. This isn’t costume. This is lineage.

From Popo Aguda to Campos Square, these horses carry 200 years of Lagos Island history on their backs.

Fanti isn’t just carnival. It’s memory on horseback.
This is how we keep history alive. Not in textbooks. In the streets.

📍 Brazilian Quarters, Lagos Island

28/04/2026

Lagos Island came alive again 🇧🇷🇳🇬
The Fanti Carnival isn’t just a parade it’s 200 years of Afro-Brazilian heritage dancing through Balogun & Campos. Salsa, Samba, Agbada, and Brass Bands colliding in one street.

From the returnee families of 1800s Brazil to today’s Gen Z drummers, this is Lagos remembering who she is.

Popo Aguda, Lagos Island

19/02/2026

The Sojourner with other tourists, listening to the history of Idanre while being served palm wine by the tour leader (AraDamilola) on Idanre Hill at midnight. In this clip, as the narrator told ancient stories, a sacred song, one that must not be sung at night, was mentioned. One tourist insisted on singing it, while the other tourists rejected the idea.

27/01/2026

A man's journey is the long walk from who he was, through who he breaks into, toward who he chooses to become.

- The Sojourner

26/01/2026

Images from my visit to Benin Republic on January 10 for the 2026 Voodoo Festival (Voodoo Days).
I couldn’t make it to Ouidah because I learned it’s about a three-hour journey from the Idiroko border, and there was an election in the country the following day (Sunday, January 11), which was likely to restrict movement.
Nevertheless, I had a great time touring the places I visited. I even stopped my bike man to buy and drink coconut water and witnessed how fuel is purchased, as there aren’t many fuel stations in the country.
Benin Republic is truly a country to visit and enjoy.
— The Sojourner