WHAT IF an African child, captured by slave traders in 1756, had a mobile phone and could share what happened to him on social media?
That’s the intriguing premise of a new film project that will be released on Instagram later this month.
@Equiano.Stories will follow the life of 18th Century writer and slave trade abolitionist Olaudah Equiano, known for his 1789 autobiography, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, as a series of Instagram stories.
As a child Equiano was kidnapped from his home in Nigeria in 1756, taken to the Caribbean and sold as a slave to a British Royal Navy officer. He was sold twice more but purchased his freedom in 1766. His famous book depicted the horrors of slavery.
The film, which premiers on Instagram on February 16, aims to connect young people today with Equiano’s life story by giving a modern voice to Equiano’s 18th Century memoir.
Followers of Equiano.Stories will meet 11 year-old Equiano and watch his story unfold as he posts about 400 individual stories, totalling 80 minutes of content.
Just like today’s Instagram influencers, Equiano will share moments of his day — from being a carefree boy in his village, interactions with his close knit family and rich African culture, to the fear and confusion of being kidnapped, and the harrowing experience of life aboard a slave ship.
Short historical lessons will accompany each of the film’s highlights, explaining the event that viewers see in the film.
Equiano.Stories is a collaboration between award-winning film studio Stelo Stories and the DuSable Museum of African American History, America’ s oldest independent museum of Black history. The project focuses on Equiano’s childhood story in an effort to connect him with young people today.
Stelo Stories executive Yvonne Chioma Mbanefo said: “Stelo Stories shares historical stories with our audiences by meeting them where they already are – on their phones and on social.
“We created Equiano.Stories to connect people with a new Black history narrative. The story starts with a vibrant young man who is not so unlike today’s youth – he loves dancing, running through his neighbourhood and hanging out with his friends. For far too long, historical films have started the narrative of Black history with enslavement. ‘Equiano.Stories’ paints a vivid portrait of a history that starts with freedom.”
For far too long, historical films have started the narrative of Black history with enslavement. Equiano.Stories paints a vivid portrait of a history that starts with freedom.
Yvonne Chioma Mbanefo, Stelo Stories executive
To support the film DuSable has created a museum exhibit that takes visitors into Equiano’s village to experience the culture of West Africa, featuring pieces from its own African collection. And Inspired by today’s viral dance videos, the film has launched an app that teaches people the steps of the traditional Nigerian dances seen in the film.
Perri Irmer, President and CEO of DuSable said: “Equiano’s story speaks most eloquently and in a way that we believe will create a paradigm shift in how our history is presented, consumed and understood. This is exactly what the world needs right now: the truth, the whole truth, historically accurate and beautifully portrayed.”
Irmer added: “Our collaboration with Stelo Stories on Equiano.Stories is important because it gives us a platform to remind the world that slavery is not our origin story as Black people.”
The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano is one of the only first-hand accounts of life in West Africa written by an African author. Equiano went on to become an influential figure in history. His bestselling memoir was critical in supporting the efforts of abolitionists to end Britain’s involvement in the Transatlantic slave trade in 1833.
Equiano.Stories follows Stelo’s critically acclaimed release of Eva.Stories, the diary of a teenage Holocaust victim re-told through Instagram that captured 300 million views within 48 hours of its release.
To find out more about Equiano.Stories click here
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