Unearthing Forgotten Stories. Reclaiming Identity. Reimagining the Future.
Throughout history, many African myths, legends, and spiritual traditions have been suppressed, distorted, or erased by colonialism, religious conversion, and globalization. At Neftaly, we are committed to the revival and reawakening of these ancestral stories — not only through research and education but also through the transformative power of art.
Art as a Tool of Cultural Resistance and Renewal
Art has always been at the heart of African storytelling — from rock paintings and carvings to textiles, dance, and oral performance. Today, art is more than expression; it is a form of resistance, healing, and cultural reclamation.
At Neftaly, we empower artists, storytellers, and communities to:
- Reimagine suppressed myths and bring them to life through visual, digital, and performance art
- Celebrate the deities, heroes, tricksters, and ancestors that once shaped cultural identity
- Challenge colonial narratives that dismissed African spiritual systems as primitive or irrelevant
- Restore pride and knowledge in African cosmologies and worldviews
What We’re Reviving
Our work focuses on reviving myths that were:
- Silenced by colonial rule and missionary efforts
- Labeled as taboo or superstitious in the post-colonial era
- Overshadowed by imported religions and systems of thought
- Disconnected from younger generations due to urbanization and cultural shifts
These include:
- Creation stories from the Yoruba, Zulu, Dinka, San, and Ashanti peoples
- Tales of goddesses and feminine spiritual forces erased by patriarchal systems
- Myths that celebrate human-nature relationships, once condemned as “pagan”
- Stories of magic, transformation, trickery, and justice once told around village fires
How We Do It
- Artist Residencies & Grants to support the creation of mythology-inspired art
- Workshops and Exhibitions that blend oral tradition with modern media
- Community Collaborations to collect, reinterpret, and honor ancestral stories
- Digital Archives to preserve revived myths for future generations
- Educational Outreach to teach youth about their mythological heritage
Why It Matters
Reviving suppressed myths is not just about the past — it’s about:
- Healing cultural amnesia
- Rebuilding identity and belonging
- Offering African-centered narratives in art, history, and spirituality
- Creating new pathways for creativity, activism, and innovation rooted in heritage
Join the Revival
Through myth and art, we reconnect to who we are and who we can become. Help us amplify the voices of forgotten gods, hidden heroes, and timeless wisdom.
Neftaly: Revival of Suppressed Myths Through Art – reclaiming the stories that reclaim us.