Gugu: Zande Talking Through Wood (full)

For hundreds of years, the Zande people who live in South Sudan, DR Congo, and the Central African Republic, have used 'gugu' slit drums to feast, and to share news rapidly over great distances - about deaths, hunts, festivals, festivals, and the threat of war. These gigantic drums are carved from a single tree. Some old drums have found their ways to museums around the world, such as in Khartoum, Berlin, and London. While centuries have elapsed and wars have disrupted the Zande world, the art of Gugu drum-making remains alive. In 'Gugu: Zande Talking Through Wood', South Sudanese anthropologist Isaac Hillary follows senior craftsmen near Yambio, South Sudan, as they carve a gugu drum. He films the process from beginning to end: from the cutting of the tree through all the crafting stages, to the drums first use at a village dance. The process took 1,5 months and involved countless people. This documentary was directed and filmed by Isaac Hillary. Additional footage was made by Girisi. All footage was shot with a mobile phone. The documentary was edited by Bruno Braak. The production was sponsored by John Ryle and Tom Odhiambio. For more information, please visit https://worondimo.wordpress.com .