# An Art Movement Built on Ancestral Wisdom | Jackie Lebo | TED

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=741j2Jne1EM
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/741j2Jne1EM
Generated: 2025-12-25T16:33:03.49+00:00

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## Quick Overview

Jackie Lebo advocates for a shift in resource allocation and cultural perspective in Turkana, Kenya, moving away from post-independence policies that marginalized pastoralist life towards models based on ancestral wisdom, cooperation, and shared humanity, as demonstrated through collaborative art projects that have garnered significant local support.

**Key Points:**
- Lebo traveled to Turkana, the northernmost part of Kenya, in 2014 to make a film about the community, which she notes has been marginalized regarding agricultural resources.
- The community sought more than just a fair share of oil revenues, desiring water and security to continue their pastoralist way of life, which is central to their culture and identity.
- Lebo and her team initiated collaborative projects, including bringing ten artists (five from Nairobi and five from Turkana) together to create art, showing that collaboration based on shared values works better than copying external economic models.
- She highlights the success of their first project, "The Flies Swearing in Africa," and their second, "Oil and Milk," which explore the clash between traditional pastoralism and the impact of oil discovery.
- The ancestral path of pastoralism, which involves cooperation and compassion, defines their humanity, contrasting sharply with policies based on Western models.
- The speaker emphasizes that their ancestors were stewards of the Earth, populating it for tens of thousands of years without causing harm, suggesting their wisdom is vital for sustainability.
- The presentation culminates with a musical performance by Elizabeth Korikel and Eddie Grey, celebrating the culture and collaborative spirit.

![Screenshot at 00:47: A wide shot captures the filmmaking crew working amidst camels, livestock, and traditional huts in Turkana, illustrating the immersive process of documenting the community's pastoralist life before external resource focus shifted priorities.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/741j2Jne1EM/00-00-47.jpg)

**Context:** Jackie Lebo shares her experience working in Turkana, the northernmost region of Kenya, where she intended to create a film. She discusses the tension between the community's traditional pastoralist lifestyle and external pressures, particularly from post-independence policies and the discovery of oil, which have historically marginalized their way of life. Lebo argues for valuing ancestral wisdom and collaborative efforts over imposed economic structures.

## Detailed Analysis

Jackie Lebo recounts her journey to Turkana in 2014 to document the community, noting that the people there, historically marginalized by resource policies favoring the agriculturally rich south, sought more than just oil revenue—they needed water and security to maintain their pastoralist culture. Lebo contrasts the imposed, Western-based economic models with the ancestral wisdom of the Turkana, whose culture is rooted in cooperation, compassion, and stewardship of the land, a practice that sustained them for millennia without harming the planet. To foster a better path, she initiated collaborative art projects, such as "The Flies Swearing in Africa" and "Oil and Milk," bringing together Nairobi and Turkana artists. These projects aimed to showcase their culture and develop new sharing models, leading to creations that exceeded expectations and fostered a deep connection among participants. The presentation concludes with a musical performance by Elizabeth Korikel and Eddie Grey, symbolizing the celebration of this renewed cultural collaboration.

### Filmmaking in Turkana

- Traveled to Turkana in 2014 to make a film
- Turkana people marginalized by post-independence policies favoring the agriculturally rich south
- Community wanted water and security to continue pastoralist life, not just oil revenue.

### Collaborative Art Projects

- Initiated projects believing people wanted a fair share of oil revenues, which they did not receive
- First project: "The Flies Swearing in Africa"
- Second project: "Oil and Milk"
- Brought together 10 artists (5 from Nairobi, 5 from Turkana).

### Cultural Philosophy

- Ancestral pastoralism is based on cooperation, compassion, and defining humanity through connection to something greater than oneself
- Ancestors were stewards of the Earth for tens of thousands of years.

### Project Outcomes

- Collaborations led to new sharing models that exceeded individual capabilities
- The work combined ancient and contemporary art forms.

### Performance Finale

- Concluded the talk with a musical performance by Elizabeth Korikel and Eddie Grey, celebrating the festival's inaugural edition.

![Screenshot at 00:04: Jackie Lebo beginning her TED talk on stage in Vancouver, dressed in a white blazer and yellow skirt.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/741j2Jne1EM/00-00-04.jpg)
![Screenshot at 00:33: The large screen behind Lebo displays three panels showing scenes of Turkana life: cattle in the scrubland, people interacting with camels at a settlement, and a vast landscape, illustrating the environment being discussed.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/741j2Jne1EM/00-00-33.jpg)
![Screenshot at 00:47: A scene from the documentary footage showing a film crew documenting local people watering camels in the arid Turkana landscape.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/741j2Jne1EM/00-00-47.jpg)
![Screenshot at 05:04: A surreal image from one of the art projects, "Floating Flying," featuring a woman in a long dress levitating above water surrounded by floating handbags.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/741j2Jne1EM/00-05-04.jpg)
![Screenshot at 06:02: A wide shot of the musical performance outdoors in the arid landscape, featuring multiple musicians in traditional attire performing with modern microphones.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/741j2Jne1EM/00-06-02.jpg)