Documentary | The Gele

Gele, the Yoruba word for headwrap, is known for being the colourful and flamboyant crown that adorns the heads of Nigerian women across the world as they attend parties, weddings and church. This short documentary shines a light and celebrates a community of Nigerian women in London who keep the gele alive – from African fabrics traders to ‘Gele Artists’ who attend weddings parties.

This is something I began working on in 2014, which I’m not sure how to feel about, as it’s only a 12minute documentary. But it certainly has been a labour of love and eventually managed to finish it at the end of 2018. The edit finished with a big sigh of relief but also with a childlike excitement as I can now share it with everyone else. Whether they like it or not. And I’m pleased to say it will be having an exclusive screening at Pop Up Africa 2019 at Spitalfields Market in London in May.

It will then be having it’s Nigerian premiere in June at the Realtime Festival 2019. Pretty exciting times!

Take a look at the trailer below: