The Soul of Africa

This is the first feature-length documentary by director Gabriel Souleyka, who is a historian by training and a specialist in Africa and Black issues. In this film, he sought to explore issues of spirituality and the place of ancient cults in cultural and religious spaces. After visiting the Festival of Black Divinities in Togo, he decided to write a script and go filming, immersing himself completely in the festival in Togo. This film delves into the heart of African spirituality, exploring its deep roots and evolution throughout the centuries. The film asks a fundamental question: before the arrival of Christianity and Islam, what were the beliefs and spiritual practices of African peoples? Through captivating images and poignant testimonies, this documentary draws on the Festival of Black Divinities, which took place in Togo in 2025 for its 10th edition, a cultural and spiritual event that celebrates ancestral traditions and African divinities. This festival, rich in rituals, dances, songs, and ceremonies, serves as a thread to explore the richness of pre-colonial African spiritualities. The film highlights the resilience of these traditions despite external influences and questions the place they occupy in contemporary Africa. Between interviews with experts, immersive footage of the festival, and philosophical reflections, The Soul of Africa offers a vibrant dive into the soul of a continent where the sacred and the profane blend harmoniously. This documentary is both a tribute to ancestral spiritualities and an invitation to rediscover the cultural foundations of Africa, while questioning their future in a rapidly changing world in flux.