Written, produced and directed by Toyin Ibrahim Adekeye, Bigger than Africa recollects the Atlantic Slavery Trade spanning centuries, its effect in the mass exodus of the African people to the European countries. Bigger than Africa reasserts the Yoruba culture and it formidable nature to resist extinction. The documentary showcases the preservation, expansion and continuation of Yoruba traditions and cultures in countries such as Brazil, Cuba, Trinidad and South Carolina in North America to mention but few.
The documentary back tracks to 15th – 18th century when West African and North Africans were shipped off and their only means of survival, resistance and identity was their culture. 90% of Africans were believed to have exited the continent in shackles of slavery and the Yoruba people are believed to be one of tribes in high percentage. The Yoruba people carried their culture with them in terms of deity worship, cloth making, masquerade carnivals and festivals. The culture starts permeating other societies and synchronizing with their beliefs. As at 1976, over 3000 literatures have been written on the Yoruba’s, making it one of the most researched cultures on earth.
Oba Efuntola was known to have established Oyotunji, an African village in South Carolina whose ultimate goal it the restoration, preservation and continuity of the Yoruba culture, by replicate the Oyo kingdom in South West Nigeria. Bigger than Africa highlights Odunde festival in Philadelphia as the largest African-American festival in the United States and traces of Yoruba culture can be seen in the activities of the festival which was passed down through oral tradition.
Era of slavery preceded the civil rights movement, fighting for freedom and maintaining identity. The presence and prevalence of Yoruba culture in these countries is believed to have influenced the revolution and resistance movement during different fights for emancipation. Olodum became the biggest black music festival in Brazil (referencing Spike Lee and Michael Jackson taking part in the Olodum festival where he sang being “They don’t care about us”.
Bigger than Africa featured numerous academicians, artists, musicians, spiritualists including Ifayemi Elebuibon, Maj Gen Ishola Williams, Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, Wole Soyinka, Ana Kehl, Rosangela Alves Virgens, Alaba Lawson, Celia Sacramento, Nike Davis Okundaye, Joao Jorge Santos Rodrigues, Demilson se Santana, Carlos Trejo Sosa, Valerie Taylor, Femi Anikulapo Kuti, Eintou Pearl Springer, Avery Ammon, Keith Diaz, Aderonmu Isiaka, Prof. Wande Abimbola, Pro Akin Alao to mention but few.
The documentary explores Yoruba’s spirituality and worship of deity which was synchronized with the saints in Catholic faith citing Santeria and Candomblé worship in Brazil. Spirituality is seen as a form of expression, while songs and chants served as voice lent to their struggles and resistance. Yoruba culture is noted to have been the power house for resistance movement; an instance is the revolution led by Fidel Castro, believed to have been enhanced by the presence of Yoruba culture and enormous participation from the Yoruba population in Cuba.
Bigger than Africa showcase Yoruba culture as a frontier for women inclusivity as women participated in Trade and Commerce. The system of governance; monarchical system, Ogbono council of chiefs, and other officials with the duty of checks and balances, the legislation and the judiciary. Bigger than Africa is an encompassing documentary of the Yoruba culture and the transcendental nature it has.