We are delighted to report that postgraduate researcher Racheal Solomon has had a paper accepted for for the African Literature Association’s 52nd annual conference to be held at the University of Delaware in Newark, DE in June 2027.
Racheal’s presentation is entitled: ‘Co-Designing Nzeanzo: AI Film Adaptation as Decolonial Archiving of Bachama Orature’ and she proposes to explore the following questions:
- How do we archive oral traditions in times when custodial roles are increasingly threatened by cultural shifts such as rapid urbanisation and the growing influence of digital media?
- More importantly, when AI encounters Bachama oral narratives preserved by cultural custodians, who retains authority over their retelling?
Racheal adds: ‘Through engagement with cultural custodians as active contributors to the folktale’s visual representation and creative decision-making, I reimagine the Bachama narrative through AI-assisted filmmaking. This approach opens possibilities for revitalising cultural memory while challenging digital preservation practices in which AI systems shape how cultural knowledge is represented. In doing so, I contribute my voice to debates about the future of oral literature and decolonial approaches to cultural preservation, demonstrating the value of community-engaged research on oral storytelling traditions alongside emerging digital forms.’
We wish Racheal an enriching experience at the conference and look forward to hearing all about it!