Speaking without Voice

A project which explored four Nigerian pre-colonial nonverbal communication systems: Aroko, Nsibidi, Uli and the Talking Drums, made possible by money raised by National Lottery players awarded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF).

IROKO Theatre Company is delighted to announce that it has received a National Lottery grant of £97,300 for an exciting heritage project, ‘Speaking without Voice’. Made possible by money raised by National Lottery players awarded by the Heritage

Lottery Fund (HLF), ‘Speaking without Voice’will research, identify, record and present four Nigerian precolonial nonverbal communication systems (Aroko, Nsibidi, Uli and the Talking Drums), some of which were banned by the British colonial administration in Nigeria. The historical, political and socio-cultural functions of the heritage, will be explored, including their significant and unidentified presence in Nigerian arts and heritage in the UK.

Harnessing the research findings, the project ran a broad set of events and activities – including training sessions, workshops, exhibitions and a museum trip – giving people access to this previously under-explored heritage, and utilizing it to foster understanding and appreciation of the heritage, creativity, confidence and community cohesion

Project Launch

Speaking without Voice’ was launched on Friday 11th January, 2019 at Stratford Library. The event attended by a wide range of audiences, was opened by Cllr. Joy Laguda MBE, Chair of London Borough of Newham Council. Selina Papa, Development Manager (London), Heritage Lottery Fund, was also in attendance.

Sharing/Deliverables

Speaking without Voice’s research findings were shared with members of the public through workshops, exhibitions, performances and through digital means and an eLearning Resource Pack (all of which you can access for free, below). Public sharing activities took place at a variety of venues including Redbridge Central Library, Barking Learning Centre, Stratford Library, Botwell Library, Newham Dementia Support Group, Goodenough College, at various schools across London and online (in response to COVID-19). Please click on the links below to find out more about some of the activities that took place.

The British Museum Common wealth Fair 2019Barking Learning Centre
Hillingdon Central Library
Redbridge Central Library
Stratford Library
Newham Dementia Support Group
Treasures Supplementary School
Five London schools

Training

‘Speaking without Voice’ will offer training and volunteering opportunities to approximately 194 people (researchers, volunteers, heritage officers, teachers, members of the general public, etc.) who wish to gain research, heritage and music technology skills.

25 people drawn from various communities and professions, will undertake a guided educational tour of The Igbo compound in the International Slavery Museum at The National Museums of Liverpool. They will view, learn and participate in expert workshops on Uli heritage and symbols used in decorating the compound.

Additional 20 more project beneficiaries will receive IROKO’s National Open College Network accredited training programme in the heritage, to gain knowledge and skills that they can apply to their work and or study.

Recruitment

IROKO wish to engage the services of the following personnel:

- Project Volunteers
- General Volunteers
- Trainee Heritage Support Officer – Recruited
- Heritage Researchers – Recruited

For further details, please contact IROKO Theatre Company: infos@irokotheatre.org.uk