Exhibition Summary
Curated by Genti Media, sponsored by MTN and supported and housed at the Goethe-Institut in Lagos, the Of Tongues and Voices audiovisual exhibition showcases the magic and diversity of Nigeria’s 500+ languages. From February 15th through March 30th, come look through the illustrated maps, listen to the histories and sounds of different languages and engage with the language list and the interactive corner’s Reclaiming Our Names installation and questions.
The exhibition aims to champion inclusivity, ensuring that the linguistic diversity within Nigeria is not only acknowledged but celebrated as part of the rich tapestry that defines the nation.
Also check out the list of related workshops, discussions and events coming up through bit.ly/m/GentiOfTonguesandVoices
Exhibition Context
With about 520 indigenous languages, Nigeria is the third most linguistically diverse country in the world after Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. It is a melting pot of languages and cultures! This exhibition celebrates the richness of this diversity with the acknowledgement that language is not just a means of communication but a vessel carrying the stories, traditions, and identities of communities.
The exhibition is also a response to the underappreciation of local languages, especially those termed ‘minority languages’ which are too often assumed to simply be variations of the more dominant ‘Wazobia’ languages of Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. By focusing on a wider list of 8 languages - Birom, Ezza, Hausa, Igbo, Ijo, Nupe, Pidgin and Yoruba, and mentioning all 500+ others on the language wall, this exhibition provides a platform for tongues and voices often overshadowed.
An Audiovisual Exhibition
Audio recording and storage technologies such as tape recorders, smartphones, social media and apps like Genti Audio, have provided a dynamic platform for safeguarding oral traditions while ensuring that the nuances of tone and emotion are faithfully retained. Where the technology of writing has seen limited adoption in local languages due to disputed orthographies, an English-dominant educational system and the consequent low level of local language literacy, the audio medium is unencumbered by such shackles.
Engage your eyes while listening to the sounds of different tongues and voices. Audio cultural descriptions in English can be found on the Genti Audio app along with sounds of each focus language. See, listen, engage and enjoy!
Accompanying Visuals
Illustrated maps and other visuals by designers - Victor Jimmy, Mosaku Michael Ogooluwa, and Emmanuel Eyo. Videos by Victor Osim – Asu, Sulcata Entertainment. Reclaiming Our Names Installation by Emalohi Iruobe.
About Genti
Genti Media is an audio-tech company dedicated to showcasing African audio stories, dramas, educational materials and more in African languages and voices! Our flagship product – the Genti Audio app was launched in 2022 and has over 15,000 hours of audio in 22 languages.
Not currently in Lagos? you can also check out the exhibition virtually through
bit.ly/m/GentiOfTonguesandVoices
