Fambul Tok ED John Caulker and film Producer Libby Hoffman lead a Q&A at Heartland Film Festival

Inspired ourselves by the responses to the film, we are now launching a blog series to share some of these responses with an even broader audience.

One of our very first community screenings, held in October at the University of New Mexico Law School, brought faculty, staff and students together to screen Fambul Tok alongside Pray the Devil Back to Hell for their “Documentary and Discussion” feature. Following the film, a discussion was led by Prof. Jennifer Moore of the UNM Law School, featuring a small number of experts present to contribute different perspectives to the dialogue surrounding community-based reconciliation methods. Professor Moore also submitted our first Postcard, writing that it was a “…pleasure and privilege to help spread awareness of the work of your grassroots reconciliation program to my colleagues, students and fellow community members… The audience was deeply moved by the film, and the conversation started with simply honoring the power of the story — devastating, and yet uplifting.”

After an incredible 7 screenings at the Heartland Film Festival in Indianapolis, IN in October (where Fambul Tok was honored with the Crystal Heart Award),  we received feedback highlighting how viewers were touched by the universal themes represented in the film. David, an audience member, shared this thought for the people of Sierra Leone: “Our anger and fear of communication make us prisoners. I am glad you are being set free,” while Mark W., another viewer, echoed that “In the worst of tragedies to be able to ask for forgiveness, being willing and able to forgive — transforms and frees a person and a community to move forward.”

Stay tuned for more responses.  In the meantime, be sure to track our upcoming screenings or be in touch to bring the power of forgiveness to your own community. And feel free to submit your own Postcard to Sierra Leone today!

On 12 October, the All Party Parliamentary Group on Conflict Issues, Fambul Tok International and The Forgiveness Project co-hosted a meeting in the UK Parliament. Chaired by Simon Hughes MP, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats and Chair of the All Party Group, the meeting was attended by approximately 80 people, from activists and policy-makers to students from two of the six London schools currently participating in pilot educational activities that draw on the experience of Fambul Tok. Both Chief Banya and Michaela made presentations and answered questions posed by an enthusiastic audience. Both emphasised the importance of community-wide involvement in all aspects of Fambul Tok reconciliation processes.

13 and 14 October were spent visiting Notre Dame Roman Catholic School for Girls and Little Ilford Secondary School, respectively, two of five London schools at which Fambul Tok educational activities are currently being piloted. At Notre Dame, a group of 14 and 15 year-old students of Sierra Leonean heritage discussed their reaction to the Parliamentary meeting, which they had attended the evening before, and shared with Chief Banya and Michaela the impact which working with and through Fambul Tok has had on them. Working under the guidance one of their teachers, the students hope over the coming months to develop curriculum materials for classroom use based on the experience of Fambul Tok and plan to screen the film to a whole-school audience by the end of this year.

The next day’s visit to Little Ilford involved witnessing performances put on by groups of 13 and 14 year-old students who had closely examined the gestures, movements and key words used in Fambul Tok bonfire ceremonies and by Sahr and Nyumah, two young men whose friendship was ripped apart during the conflict but which has since successfully been repaired, as shown in the film. Board Member Jon Lunn, Chief Banya and Michaela were moved and inspired by the students’ responses to the work of Fambul Tok – above all, how they had managed to enter into the physical and emotional worlds of Sierra Leoneans involved in it, while at the same time developing their own distinctive interpretations of what they had studied.  The wonderful teachers at Little Ilford who are working with the students intend to continue utilizing the experience of Fambul Tok as part of the curriculum, and hope also to explore its potential to assist in community-building across the school as a whole.

Last but not least, there was another screening of the film on 27 October at the London School of Economics, in an event sponsored by the Centre for the Study of Human Rights. The venue was packed with an audience of 150 people, with some being turned away because there was no more room. Following the screening, Jon Lunn and Chief Banya hosted a lively Q&A session. There was much debate about how far the experience of Fambul Tok might be transferrable into other cultural and political contexts, and whether it should be understood as part of the spectrum of ‘transitional justice’.

I would like to place on record sincere thanks to the volunteers without which these events would not have been possible – in particular, Modupe Oshikoya, Daniel Rogers, Tim Spafford and Nancy Quilliam. Gratitude also goes to Chief Banya and Micheala for being such wonderful ambassadors for Fambul Tok during their visit.

So, what comes next for us in the UK? Hopefully, more film screenings. The pilots in London schools, already underway to such inspiring effect, will continue. Perhaps the time may also have come to explore whether some in the Sierra Leonean community in London and beyond might want to begin moves to establish a ‘friends of Fambul Tok in the UK‘ network. However, in keeping with the values and principles of Fambul Tok, the time will only be right if there are Sierra Leoneans who are happy and willing to take ownership of such an initiative and lead the way. The immediate next step, then (just as it always is in Sierra Leone itself) is consultations!

(Please note, though, that the home DVD is licensed only for home use. If you want to share these stories of forgiveness with your community, school or in another public setting, you can purchase a discounted screening license here and take part in our community screenings campaign!)

The DVD has already garnered high praise, including this review on Amazon.com, from one of their “top-10 reviewers,” K. Harris — “In one of the most horrific civil wars of recent times, ordinary citizens were pushed to perform gruesome atrocities against their friends, families and neighbors in an effort to survive the tumultuous and brutal era from 1991-2002 in Sierra Leone. The stories and reports are shocking, horrifying and unforgettable and as the war came to a conclusion–the country was irreparably scarred.

Order your copy of Fambul Tok today!

“With the government only dealing with the major power players (about 14 people), everyone else was given a general amnesty for their crimes against one another. No one had attempted to heal the country’s deep wounds as victims and their assailants were forced to coexist with no dialogue, discussion, or admission of wrongdoing. And we’re not talking little offenses. Some of the subjects within the powerful and hopeful documentary Fambul Tok experienced sexual assault, maiming, and the murder of family members in the most harrowing circumstances imaginable–oftentimes at the hands of people they knew and loved. The film charts the beginning stages of a process to help the people and communities of Sierra Leone move past these painful memories with forgiveness.

“Fambul Tok (translates to family talk) introduces John Caulker, the originator of a grassroots movement to address these open hostilities and regrets. The organization is seen going into communities to orchestrate public meetings where anyone can level charges against anyone else. In the effort to make issues public, the accused can show regret, make explanation and ask for forgiveness. Healing starts with the simple opening up of a dialogue. The actual scenes of these talks have a rawness and realness that make the movie so moving and thought-provoking. Filmmaker Sara Terry stays removed from the action, shoots in a very straightforward way, and lets the participants be the story. Some of the tales told will certainly stay with me, but the fact that the forgiveness seems genuine and lasting is a testament to a forward thinking openness we could all learn from. And in a stunning turnaround, the film ends with a major revelation from an unexpected source. It demonstrates the ultimate power of the truth and is, quite frankly, disturbing and unforgettable.

“I watch more documentaries than the average person–I’d be willing to wager almost anything on that fact. Some I think I will like, some I think will be good for me. I thought Fambul Tok sounded important prior to watching it in sort of a medicinal way, but I didn’t think it would affect me on such an emotional level. I have rarely found a film to be both shocking and inspirational. If the victims of horror and atrocities can forgive those that committed the crimes, it actually inspires a hope for progress. And that’s what these all stand for–progress through community. It’s not a Western idea per se, but maybe it should be. Sparse, simple and quite powerful–an easy recommendation to lovers of documentary or anyone interested in world events, civics, or sociology.”

Purchase your copy today and join us around the bonfire!

Peace Mothers pose for a group portrait in Moyamba

Fambul Tok continues to create space for people to meet, discuss and find a way forward — together. For the past two weeks, Fambul Tok organized interactive sessions for Peace Mothers groups in Kono, Kailahun, Moyamba, Kono and Bombali districts.

According to the Executive Director of Fambul Tok International, John Caulker, the purpose of the interactive sessions for Peace Mothers is to create a space for women to discuss pertinent issues, share ideas and experiences and overcome the challenges facing them. “The conflict in Sierra Leone divided families and communities. After the war there was no forum for people, especially women, to meet and discuss issues affecting them, so Fambul Tok is creating this space for them  so they could know each other, mingle and interact for the very first time,” Caulker stresses.

He emphasizes the fact that “Fambul Tok addresses the roots of conflict at the local level, walking alongside war-affected individuals as they reflect on the past in ways that enable them to be part of averting renewed aggression. Grounding reconciliation in traditional practices also helps create healthy communities capable of building new foundations of peace.”

These sessions are geared towards consultation, recounting past activities, experience-sharing, and fostering peace to enable them overcome the challenges facing them in their

Peace Mothers celebrating after lunch

communities. During debriefing, Peace Mothers shared their experiences with the goal of  learning new things from one another.

According to Sia James of Woama village, Tankoro chiefdom, Kono district, many initially thought that the group would be shortlived because of the perception that women would not be willing to work together.

Edith Jarfoi of Gorama chiefdom, Kono district says that because the women are now working together, they have benefited from an international organisation that provided them with a rice mill.

The peace mothers from Koinadugu district were so enthusiastic that even though they

Peace Mothers gather for an intensive session in Kabala, Koinadugu

traveled over two hundred miles through rugged roads to meet their colleagues, they had renewed energy anytime they came forward to share their experiences. One of them, Esther Conteh from Wara Wara, Bafodia chiefdom says she was happy for the fact that she had never had the opportunity to take part in such activity.

‘We are happy because this is the first time we are visiting Kono, Kailahun and Moyamba,” Esther says.

One of the women in Moyamba district, Memunatu Sillah, says they have sold their proceeds but have no idea of what to do with the money. She says she has gained an idea from other women to do business — Madam Jeneba, from Moyamba, taught her colleagues how to plant ginger.

The Kailahun women touched on the aspect of upland farming and other techniques in entering the palm oil trade. The women also paid an exchange visit to Shenge town, a centre for fish trade in Moyamba district, to learn how to work in the fishing industry. Kono women boasted of how beneficial ‘konso beans’ and other crops have been to them.

Audience at book launch at British Council in Freetown

Madam Pratt went on to describe the rich content of the book as providing detailed information about the reconciliation process in Sierra Leone, encouraging universities offering peace and conflict studies to acquire a copy of the book and use it as a resource to educate students on the importance of community reconciliation. She commended Fambul Tok for focusing on reconciliation at the community level, stating that after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, no organization was willing to take up the challenge of continuing reconciliation in Sierra Leone.

Director of British Council in Sierra Leone, Louisa Waddingham, with Memunatu Pratt, Head of Peace and Conflict Studies, Fourah Bay College, and Fambul Tok staff John Caulker and Micheala Ashwood

The Director of the British Council in Sierra Leone, Louisa Waddingham, echoed Madam Pratt by commending the work of Fambul Tok and also recommending that academic institutions use the book.

Executive Director of Fambul Tok International John Caulker then spoke, acknowledging all those who contributed in diverse ways toward the completion of the book, including the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank and Sierra Rutile for their support in distributing copies of the book to communities in Sierra Leone. He also assured the audience that the book would be made available to the rural communities who have worked so hard to make themselves whole again.

As a complement to the book launch, the 82 minute-long Fambul Tok documentary film was screened with a Question and Answer session afterward.

The handsomely produced 144-page book, published by Umbrage Editions, gathers the voices of conflict resolution experts such as Benedict Sannoh, former Sierra Leonean child soldier Ishmael Beah, John Caulker, and Libby Hoffman, the co-founder of Fambul Tok, along with the indelible artistry of the photographs and story documented by journalist Sara Terry to create an unforgettable testimony to the power of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Sierra Leone, a country that suffered from a eleven-year old conflict is one of the countries that has a very rich tradition. Sierra Leoneans believe that ‘a blazing fire will not put off another blazing fire,’ but that a problem won’t be settled unless and until it is settled in a family way.

With the revival of traditions to help reconcile broken relationships and communities through Fambul Tok, many communities are now using the concept of Fambul Tok to settle their own minor disputes rather than going through the formal justice system. This is yielding fruits in the country and beyond because pressure is mounted on Fambul Tok by various organisations outside Sierra Leone to use its approach of community reconciliation.

In Falaba village, Sulima chiefdom, Koinadugu district in the north of Sierra Leone, one of the boys that was captured and recruited into one of the fighting forces during the war has heaved a sigh of relief as he lives happily with Pa Yeare Samura.

Hassan was captured by rebels at the tender age of eight (8) and was forced to burn down several houses in Falaba.

In his testimony during Fambul Tok reconciliation ceremony in Falaba on May 19, Hassan confessed that he was forced to lead troops to Pa Samura’s house. Fortunately for the old man he got information that rebels wanted him dead so he escaped but he house was razed to the ground.

When the war was declared over, Hassan returned to Falaba to settle down. He is now in his early twenties. Pa Samura also decided to come back home begin life from nowhere. Both Hassan and Pa Samura were not on speaking terms for over 10 years. Each time they set eyes on each other, they described how it seemed a time bomb was set, awaiting to explode.

After both men reconciled in May, Fambul Tok has realised that they are working as one in the interest of peace and reconciliation.

“He is now like a father to me. I always assist Pa Samura any time the need arises,” Hassan says.

On the other hand Pa Samura says everything is fine as Hassan always assist him to work on his farm.

Women in Feijia show illiteracy doesn't mean they can't make an important contribution

The perception of many elites, especially in sub-saharan Africa, is that people cannot contribute positively to any development program if they have not been formally educated. Even though millions of people have various talents and could contribute to the development of  their various communities in one way or the other, the elites continue to disregard their efforts and always see them as unimportant.

The notion that only the educated will strive is being challenged as illiterates have shown to the world that they can contribute even more than the elites.  This has been demonstrated in many parts of the world, especially in Sierra Leone where mostly-illiterate middle-aged women have been trained to become, for example, solar panel engineers.  It is being clearly demonstrated in the Fambul Tok program as well, where women are demonstrating great capacity in things like reconciliation, communication and listening skills, mediation etc.  Through the Peace Mothers program, they are also playing important roles in development, and gaining more confidence in their ability to be important contributors to their communities.

Feijia village, in Njaluahun chiefdom, Kailahun district in the far east of Sierra Leone is one of the communities that attests to the reality that illiteracy is not a stumbling block to progress.

Among the Peace Mothers in Feijia and surrounding villages, virtually 100 percent cannot read and write and have never sat in a classroom. But that did not stop them coming together to take on important development projects in their section.

The Vice Chairlady of the Peace Mothers in Feijia, Madam Fatmata Musa, said that women can do more than men. She said most people assume that illiterate people are not important, adding that they have the perception that only those that are educated could play active roles in every sphere of life.

“Initially we thought that we are not important for the fact we cannot read and write.  But we have realized that we are a great force to reckon with,” Madam Musa stressed.

One of the members, Lucia Ansumana, was enthusiastic and said had it not been for Fambul Tok, they would not have realized their roles and responsibilities and equally their importance.

Madam Fatmata Keifala spoke about plans for next year, adding that they intend to do more.

“We have harvested our groundnut farm and the community farm is in progress,” she said. “We have divided the yields into two,” she continued.  “One part will be sold so that the proceeds would be shared among women to held their children as school reopens very soon.”

Also in Kenewa village in Luawa chiefdom, Kailahun district, Peace Mothers have planned to assist their children through the proceeds of their yields.  This is becoming a very common story in almost all of the nearly 100 Peace Mothers groups.

Check out this Raindance review of the film by Abigail Smith:

“How would you feel if you lived next door to your rapist, or walked past the man who killed your father every day? Could you forgive them? Would you ever be able to call them your friend?

Following an 11 year civil war and a blanket amnesty for all but the most prolific perpetrators, Sierra Leoneans routinely rub shoulders with those who have wronged them in the most heinous of ways – and this documentary follows a rare initiative that seeks to reconcile them.

Drawing on ancient African traditions, victims are encouraged to tell their tale around a campfire before identifying their aggressor. In the intimate night-time recordings, we hear harrowing stories plainly told, then watch in awe as the criminal comes forward. Yet the rights and wrongs shift as easily as the flame-thrown shadows: with so many forced to fall in with the rebels or face death, the murderers ache with regret and the experience is cathartic for the entire community.

In contrast to the dark and intimate campfire sections, the rest of the film is characterised by colour and clarity, communicating the calm, hope and sense of newness that follows a long and violent storm. A humbling testament to the power of forgiveness, this movie is sure to leave you feeling uplifted.”

For tickets and screening information, visit the Fambul Tok page on the Raindance site.

Peace Mothers want to support children

Women’s groups (called Peace Mothers) in various sections in Koinadugu district have decided to use the profits from their work to assist their communities’ children, especially to support them attending schools. This determination is a way of contributing in their own little way to their communities.

Speaking to the chairlady of  Fambul Tok Peace Mothers in Kaponpoh section in Wara Wara Bafodia chiefdom, a Peace Mother noted the group has decided  to share the profit accrued from the sale of their groundnuts so that they would help school going children.

“We have divided the yields into two; we have reserved some seeds for planting in the dry season and we will sell the rest to support our children,” Ms.Kamara disclosed.

In Sakuta and Kakoya villages in the Wara Wara Bafodia chiefdom, Peace Mothers agreed to support their children and others that are finding it very difficult to pay school fees.

According to Esther Conteh who chairs the Peace Mothers in Kakoya section, the initiative for women to work together is a welcome idea. Apart from Peace Mothers’ activities and the community farm, the women have formed small groups of 20 to help each other with their individual farms. They said work is now easier than before because what one woman used to do in her individual farm in a month could now be done in a day.

“This is the first time in the history of this community for women to work as one. We are 40, and we help each and every member with our individual farms,” the chairlady stated.

In Heremakono section, Chairlady Mbalia Koroma was quick to point out the development the community has embarked on in just a year after Fambul Tok was introduced. She said Heremakono section was one of the deprived areas as organizations did not consider them.

“Many organizations came here but we did not see any development because we were not together but since Fambul Tok came here we now work with one accord,” Koroma said.

She continued,”The first organization that visited us immediately after our traditional ceremony was ‘Future in our hands’, and we are doing fine.”

Koroma disclosed that the Peace Mothers harvested their groundnut farm and proceeds were share as revolving loans.

“We gave each member some groundnut to be refunded with a little interest so that we could sell and help our children before school reopens,” Koroma said.

Other Peace Mothers also expressed determination to help those that are unable to support their children.

It could be recalled that last year, Motonkoh community in Ribbi chiefdom, Moyamba district, supported three villages with seed rice as  a way of  community assistance.

Photo: Peter Bennett. Copyright Zanzibar International Film Festival. All rights reserved

“This film foregrounds Africa’s contribution to justice and conflict resolution mechanisms that can be appropriated by institutions of justice, ” the jury explained. “The editing of this film prioritizes human emotions that the camera captures with depth. The symbol of fire, throughout the narrative is reminiscent of the call to African traditional value of community.”

For the SIGNIS Jury to appreciate and celebrate not only the film’s powerful message but its innovative storytelling is particularly meaningful to director and producer Sara Terry, who set out to make a film that, as she describes in her Director’s Statement, “spills out more gently, more subtly— tracking the story of a culture that is being reborn before our eyes, and of a people who themselves are being renewed as they revive their ancient practice of fambul tok, of resolving conflict through conversation.”

The members of the SIGNIS Jury were Dominic Dipio (Uganda, President), Fabrizio Colombo (Italy), Veneranda magele (Tanzania) and Paul Samasumo (Zambia). SIGNIS, an NGO working with media professionals in all disciplines all over the world, seeks to transform culture “by promoting Human Dignity, Justice and Reconciliation.” Fambul Tok International, and the Fambul Tok film and book, have similar goals. Awards like SIGNIS show we are on the right path to achieving them.