Wole Soyinke: Kongi's Harvest

Seven years after obtaining its independence from the Civil War that lasted from 1967 thru 1970, Nigeria was hit tragically and economically. Wole Soyinke, a Nigerian author/dramatist who would later become a Nobel Laureate for Literature, was held as a political prisoner for his objection to the self-destruction and violence that the war caused.

About one year following the war's end, Soyinke created a film entitled "Kongi's Harvest" that premiered on April 8th, 1971 in Lagos, Nigeria and was directed by Ossie Davis. In this film, President Kongi (played by Soyinke) wields absolute power. Having placed all traditional and spiritual leaders in detention, Kongi puts himself in a bind. Exposed is his own impotence when met with indomitably of the people themselves, their traditional values, and their heritage.

With Kongi's Harvest, Africans (and African Americans) were speaking to themselves, speaking to each other, and underwriting the process. This film was produced by Calpenny-Nigeria Films of Lagos, Nigeria, and Herald Productions of New York, with the sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., among its backers.