Funding for Morocco: A Trek Toward Heritage
Who Am I?
My name is Nicole Sams, and I am an African-American filmmaker studying cinema at St. John’s University. I developed an avid interest in the Diaspora and African heritage and it has changed my life since.
What Is The Subject?
The purpose of this fundraiser is to create funds for a visitation to a particularly interesting place of heritage: Morocco. I have gathered research on Gnawa music for almost four years now. An ancient style with origins in West Africa, this tradition fuses the power of trance with ritual ceremony and song. There is an intimate connection here for me. I discovered recently through an ancestry test that my family bloodline can be tracked back to Ghana.
This further solidified my hunt to fill in the blanks. I realized that West African lineage and culture have left their impact throughout the diaspora. Like Black music in America, Gnawa is the collective memory music is capable of reviving. But how could I truly experience this which I both love and admire, if I have not truly made contact with it? It is not possible to make that bridge unless I embark on the journey myself.
Morocco is the first and most prominent step.
What Is The Mission?
As an African-American filmmaker attempting to connect with her roots, I want to answer the questions ‘Who are we?’ and ‘Where could our origins lie? It fascinated me to learn that Moroccan culture borrows so much from others, and I immediately realized the potential to weave an entirely new story by illustrating mine.
The budget is $2,500. This trip will be documented by film and through blogging. Your graciously provided donations help with basic needs, equipment acquisition, travel, permits, and living abroad. But help is required to shift from possibility to reality.
Any Ways You Can Assist With This Goal?
There is more than one. The standard and most direct way is via a generous donation. But if this action is not within your ability, your alternative is simple: spread the word! Tell a friend about this project. Share it via social media with a personalized shout-out. Anyone interested can be a potential donor.
Thank you kindly for your future assistance! Should anything require clarification or struck with an important question, do not hesitate to message through the website or e-mail nikkiasams@aol.com.
