What does it mean to future-proof culture in the digital age? And how can technology serve, rather than erase, deeply local narratives?
Usanii ni Ufundi (roughly translated as Art is Craftsmanship) is a Swahili saying that we have used in this case to help us spotlight the mastery, ingenuity, and resilience of community-led organisations at the intersection of culture, creativity, and memory. In this context it defines artistry not just as aesthetic expression, but as a deliberate and evolving form of technical mastery, rooted in heritage, driven by purpose, and sharpened by adaptation.
In this documentary, we take you with us to the Malindi District Cultural Association (Malindi) and the Akamba Cultural Centre and Museum (Makueni) where the African Digital Heritage team shares intimate and insightful moments with community change makers who, despite limited resources, continue to innovate and serve as custodians of living heritage and tradition.
As the documentary unfolds, we witness the beauty of what they create intermingling with the quiet tenacity of managing and scaling cultural projects. Threaded throughout the film is a conversation on digitisation: as a tool. We explore how digital tools can help these organisations preserve knowledge, expand reach, document impact, and unlock new opportunities, without diluting the integrity of their work.
By titling the documentary, Usanii ni Ufundi we are challenging audiences to see cultural work not as soft, decorative labour, but as strategic craftsmanship that deserves both recognition and robust infrastructure.
