Stolen Lands, Forgotten Voices - Central Africa’s First Peoples | International Dance Day 2026
A film giving voice to Indigenous Pygmy communities of Central Africa and their deep connection to the forest.
Stolen Lands, Forgotten Voices is a powerful and immersive film giving voice to the Indigenous Pygmy peoples of Central Africa.
Carried by the music and voice of Étienne SHEBAKUSI BOSCO, known as Mayi story, and through the testimony of Justin MASUMBUKO SHAMUTWA, ADELIPO, the film explores the deep and ancestral relationship between people and forest, a living bond rooted in knowledge, culture and identity.
For thousands of years, these communities have protected the forest.
Today, as the forest disappears, their cultures, lands and ways of life are under threat.
Despite their deep historical connection to their lands, many Pygmy communities today face marginalization, displacement within their own countries, and limited recognition of their rights, making them among the most vulnerable populations in the region.
Through music, dance, and living cultural expressions, this film highlights both vulnerability and resilience:
“Our culture is our resistance.”
Produced in the framework of International Dance Day 2026, April 29, 2026, Philippines, this film is a collective contribution by ADELIPO, ART’S PLANET and ENERGIES 2050 to raise awareness on the role of arts, culture and Indigenous knowledge in protecting ecosystems and advancing climate justice.
🔹 Credits
A film by ADELIPO, ART’S PLANET and ENERGIES 2050
Creative Direction, Storyboard and Script
Laurence HALPHEN, ENERGIES 2050, ART’S PLANET
Stéphane POUFFARY, ENERGIES 2050, ART’S PLANET
Voice and Testimony
Justin MASUMBUKO SHAMUTWA, ADELIPO
Filming and Editing
Meschac KAMBALE TSONGO, ADELIPO
Image Processing and Post production
Meschac KAMBALE TSONGO, ADELIPO
ART’S PLANET Team
Artistic, Cultural and Living Expressions
Music and Voice
Mayi story, Étienne SHEBAKUSI BOSCO
Dance and Drums
Batwa Cultural Group
Pottery Art
Marceline FURAHA MUSHAMALI
🔹 Additional information
Visual materials include original footage and selected royalty free images including Pexels contributors.
🔹 About the partners
ADELIPO DRC
Action for Development to Promote Human Rights and Defend the Interests of Indigenous Pygmy Peoples, Democratic Republic of Congo
ADELIPO works to defend the dignity, culture and rights of Indigenous Pygmy communities.
ART’S PLANET
An initiative of ENERGIES 2050 promoting the role of arts and culture in protecting the planet and supporting the wisdom of Indigenous peoples.
ENERGIES 2050
An international NGO working on climate, energy and sustainable development through systemic, inclusive and action oriented approaches.
🔹 Key themes
Indigenous Peoples
Pygmy Communities
Central Africa
Forest protection
Climate change
Cultural resilience
Dance and traditional knowledge
Human rights
This film is shared for awareness purposes. Any reproduction or reuse requires prior authorization.