Create noise about the 2026 theme: Rites and Rituals

On this page, you will find ideas and resources to help you to communicate about the Wiki Loves Africa 2026 contest theme Rites and Rituals

Use these other pages to ...

Use the 2026 Rites and Rituals theme materials and messaging.

Use the Media Toolkit to engage with the press and partners.

Twelve Years of Wiki Loves Africa.

Check out the Social Media Guidelines.

Find some interesting design tools and tricks.

Messaging for Wiki Loves Africa 2026: Rites and Rituals

For more guidance on what images could be used in the theme, share the Wiki Loves Africa 2026: Theme

The 2026 prize categories

There will be several winners. The international prizes are:

Photography:

1st Prize : USD 900
2nd Prize : USD 700
3rd Prize : USD 600
Wilson Oluoha prize: USD 1,000

Media (Video, Audio, Graphics, Photo Essays):

Best audio prize: USD 700
Narrative Video prize : USD 900
Reportage Video prize : USD 900
Clip Video prize : USD 200
Photo Essay prize : USD 300

In addition, some of the local national teams will host national ceremonies and national prizes.

Local teams can decide to award separate national prizes at their discretion. Please review the countries page to see what is happening where and what prizes are available at a local level.

Why this theme

The theme Farm to Plate, celebrates fields, agricultural practices, farm products, farm machines, people farming, food transformation and processing, cooking, restaurants, dressing on plates, cooking material and the entire process (or a segment of it) that in consists of transforming farm produce into food by Africans across the continent. As a theme, Farm to Plate encompasses various aspects of agriculture.

Wiki Loves Africa's theme for 2026 Rites and Rituals invites contributors from across the continent to document the cultural, spiritual, and social practices that shape identities and communities throughout Africa. Participants are encouraged to capture the full breadth of traditional and contemporary rituals, including life-cycle ceremonies such as births, naming rituals, initiations, weddings, and funerals; spiritual and religious practices such as prayers, blessings, healing ceremonies, and sacred dances; and community festivals, masquerades, and seasonal celebrations. Submissions may also highlight the objects, symbols, costumes, masks, crafts, and artistic expressions that accompany ceremonial practices, as well as daily and household rituals that preserve cultural continuity. The contest further welcomes documentation of communal rites, leadership ceremonies, performances, and forms of movement—such as drumming, chanting, and processions—that hold cultural significance. Winning entries will place particular emphasis on media that authentically portrays the diversity, depth, and cultural meaning of Africa’s rites and rituals.

The highlight of winning submissions will be focused on media that depicts cultural, spiritual, and social practices

The types of images accepted under this theme

Wiki Loves Africa 2026 Communications Platforms

You can follow Wiki Loves Africa 2025 on the following Communications Platforms

Communications Platforms

Discussion channels:

Telegram group

2026 Contest Communication Materials

Wiki Loves Africa will run for the 12th time in 2026. All marketing materials for Wiki Loves Africa 2026 can be found on the Wiki Loves Africa 2026 Communications category on Commons.

Canva Templates

Don't edit the original template, make a copy of the template and edit

LOCAL EVENT POSTERS

Click here to view more templates, the template usage and dimensions guide

Publicity Posters

Check Wiki Loves Africa 2026 Communications category on Commons.

Be Social!

Make some noise on social media about Wiki Loves Africa 2026 - Check out the Social Media Guidelines to find out how and use our themed social media cards!

Talking about Wikimedia: Branding and communications guidelines for Organisers

The Wikimedia Movement has its own set of branding guidelines that are separate from Wiki Loves Africa.

Consult the Communications Resource Centre to get guidance on how to use Wikimedia materials: