About Us
Africaniwa is an online storytelling forum, powered by photos, run by the EnT Foundation (Ese ne Tekyerema Foundation). Ese ne Tekyerema; the teeth and tongue, is an ethnic Adinkra symbol which originates from West Africa amongst the Akans of Ghana.
Ese ne Tekyerema tells the story about the tongue and teeth. These two human organs look different and perform different functions in the mouth but together, they help the human fulfill the vital role of nutrition.
It is not always an amicable relationship between the tongue and teeth but together they can work for the greater good. This is a story about friendship, interdependence and this is our philosophy. We simply call it; Unity in Diversity.
The EnT Foundation constitutes a group of individuals passionate about working with communities and organizations, using diverse forms of creativity to tell stories that seek to unite us and make us realize how connected we are, across the divide. Stories of friendship and interdependence. A story of partnership for unity in diversity.
The Story of Our Name
As a community of passionate lovers of photographs and especially about the motherland – Africa, our name is inspired by the “Twi” word; “ahwehwεniwa” meaning lenses. Consequently, Africa’s lenses.
Africaniwa is a passionate outcry to the true sons and daughters of the motherland to tell authentic stories about their lived experiences. In effect, offering valuable insight into their lives, supported by photos to challenge perceptions and illuminate their own reality.
Relying on responsible story telling by means of photos, Africaniwa’s main aim is to educate, promote and highlight African culture, heritage and history especially in less racially diverse communities in the diaspora.
We aim to fulfill our objectives through periodic photo exhibitions, where in a safe space, contributors; ordinary individuals are given the opportunity to share extraordinary stories about their lived experience as Africans to a diverse audience.
Our contributors range from the highly skilled photographer with his pro-equipment to the amateur photo lover with his basic mobile device. Basically, anyone and everyone could be a contributor. At Africaniwa, our philosophy is poignantly captured by the African proverb which translates, “if you don’t tell your story, someone else would and be sure they might not tell it right”.
At Africaniwa we believe these stories are meant to be a shared experience, to restore our humanity and make us realize how connected we are as people. Consequently, a tool for promoting social cohesion across continents.
This is Africaniwa – my lens, our story.
