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Nenijto

A narrated poetic journey into the past of Nenijto, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.







A poetic analog animation journey from the present-day Nenijto sports center in Rotterdam to its colonial past. In 1928, the same site hosted
a Dutch exhibition where people were brought from Senegal to recreate their village—presented as part of a so-called “human zoo.”
Through this video, we reflect on our shock and emotions as we travel back in time to confront this disturbing history
Originally,  the work was presented across two video projections on opposite sides of a room,
creating an immersive and dialogical viewing experience.


This project was made in collaboration with Stadsarchief Rotterdam.



Credits:
 Creative direction-Animation: Somar Yahya.
Production manager-Animation-Sound Design:  Joysi Olijhoek.
History & Research-Animation:  Sophie van Velthoven.

I animated most parts of the video and directed the overall animation flow.
All frames were drawn with crayon on paper, then scanned and digitally animated.










 
                  SOMAR YAHYA