Aw ni ce! I'm thrilled to share the latest An ka taa video release: "From Quranic School to Mobile Money".
It’s a Dioula language profile that offers an intimate look into the everyday life and two industries in West African society: Quranic school and “mobile money”.
The story revolves around my friend Badala, whom I first met in 2009 while with the Peace Corps in Burkina Faso. We bonded over soccer and tea, and we’ve remained friends as he has transitioned from cobbler into a Quranic student, and now a mobile money vendor in Côte d'Ivoire.
Captured over a few days in late 2022, the video portrays Badala’s daily life work and his approach to what he considers the diverging paths of seeking knowledge and seeking money. It's a snapshot of how he, like others across West Africa, navigate traditional systems of education, religious belief, and getting by in a changing economic landscape.
I hope you enjoy! Special thanks to the patrons of An ka taa who made the video possible.
Navigating the paths of knowledge and money in Kong, Côte d'Ivoire.