In Axim, Ghana, ancestral beliefs have long influenced the fishing practices of fishermen and fishmongers. Especially the god of the sea, Bebu Ayisi, once revered by fishing communities in Ghana. Now, in postcolonial context, I start my search for these gods, looking for their significance. Along the way I discover that new gods have been introduced and dominate the surface, pushing other beliefs below the surface. A layered journey unfolds, visualising the existing tensions between beliefs, traditions and modernity.
Bio
As a visual anthropologist, I am passionate about cultural differences, with film as the bridge between them. Growing up in The Hague, a city along the coast of the Netherlands, I spent much time at the seaside. Over the years I have learned how nature, especially the sea, has influenced the lives of people around me. My great fascination for the sea has translated into my first audiovisual project about Bobo Aiysi; the god of the sea in Axim, Ghana. My main interest is about how people make sense of the world around them, their habits and routines, and their relationship with nature. I’m passionate about how film is able to create a sensory experience, creating an understanding of other worlds. On the line between art and documentary, film can create an experience, engaging all our senses.
