Wiki Loves Africa 2026 in Gungbe Communities
Wiki Loves Africa is an annual photo contest celebrating African life and heritage. The 2026 theme is Rites and Rituals.
The Gungbe edition, Wiki Loves Africa 2026 in Gungbe Communities, focuses on documenting the ceremonies, festivals, and sacred observances of Gungbe-speaking communities. It aims to help local people tell their own cultural stories through images, video, and sound on Wikimedia Commons.
Goals
[edit]- Empower Gungbe photographers and youth to document their traditions.
- Improve the presence of Gungbe cultural content on Commons.
- Encourage local-language participation in the Wikimedia movement.
- Promote free, ethical, and authentic documentation of heritage.
Challenges
[edit]- Few online materials about Gungbe rites and traditional life.
- Many local creators lack awareness of Wikimedia Commons.
- Language barriers and low digital skills slow participation.
- Sacred practices are disappearing with modernization and migration.
Approach
[edit]- Hold sensitization meetings in the Gungbe language.
- Train participants on Commons uploads and Creative Commons licenses.
- Conduct community photo walks and documentation visits.
- Celebrate results through a local exhibition and award ceremony.
Planned Activities
[edit]Phase 1 – Orientation and Mobilization
[edit]- Community meetings with chiefs, youth, and cultural associations.
- Awareness through flyers, town criers, and WhatsApp groups.
- Introductory workshop (Day 1): What is Wiki Loves Africa? and Commons basics.
- Photography and video training (Day 2): how to capture, record, and describe rituals.
Phase 2 – Field Documentation and Upload Support
[edit]- Guided photo walks in Badagry and Ado-Odo/Ota.
- Cultural documentation with consent and sensitivity.
- Upload sessions and Creative Commons licensing practice.
- Mentorship by experienced Gungbe Wikimedians.
Phase 3 – Contest Celebration and Exhibition
[edit]- Local judging by photographers and cultural elders.
- Award and exhibition day with music and storytelling.
- Follow-up mentorship and creation of a Commons WhatsApp group.
- Project reporting and sharing results on Meta.
Team
[edit]- DonKevin - Project Coordinator
- Misteld - Photography and Media Trainer
- Pingponging - Cultural Liaison
- Jamex18 - Communications and Outreach Lead
Event details
[edit]- Organized by: Gungbe Wikimedians User Group
- Theme: Rites and Rituals
- Dates: 1 March – 30 April 2026
- Location: Badagry (Lagos State) & Ado-Odo/Ota (Ogun State), Nigeria
Contact
[edit]- gungbewikimedians
gmail.com - Gungbe Wikimedians User Group
