"Brooklyn to Benin: A Vodou Pilgrimage"
Director: Régine Romain
Assistant Director: Olatoundji Fagbenro
Executive Producer: Régine Romain
Producers: WaWaWa Diaspora Centre and Trinity Empire
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"Brooklyn to Benin: A Vodou Pilgrimage" begins with an aerial view of the Route des Esclaves (Slave Road) in Ouidah, which terminates at the Atlantic Ocean. Millions of captured Africans were shipped off into slavery for hundreds of years from this location in Benin (formerly Dahomey), West Africa. In tandem to the shifting gaze from the road to the ocean, a traditional prayer is spoken in Fon, an indigenous language of the region, and is performed by Adissowé, a Vodou high priestess.

As the invocation honors the four corners of the earth and offers reverence to the mysteries of nature, a woman emerges into view. She is a daughter from the other side of the water, who has now returned to the original homeland of her Haitian ancestors. The viewers follow her slow steady walk across Ouidah beach, as she becomes the narrator and offers the historical context of the film, free of the traditional Western bias and stereotypes of Vodou and its practitioners.

The narrator is Régine Romain and she shares her three-year journey documenting the survival of traditional African religion in the Americas. Still photographs of ceremonies and shrines in Brooklyn, NY; southern United States; Central America; and Haiti are displayed. The camera then trails the narrator as she enters a shrine for Aïda Wedo, an ancient Mami Wata divinity amidst the evocative sounds of a Haitian folksong for the exact same deity, affirming that the spirits of Vodou “c’est bon,” are good.

Viewers continue to follow her journey across the sands toward the historic Door of No Return. Each step is a powerful affirmation that she is a descendent of survivors. As the narrator states “honor one’s God fearlessly,” her footsteps fade into a montage of women in traditional dress, singing and dancing in praise and devotion. “Brooklyn to Benin” creates an alternative cinematic experience of Vodou grounded in honor and respect.

Support the journey: www.gofundme.com/BktoBenin.com

Follow the journey: Instagram [Regine Romain]

www.REGINEROMAIN.com

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Dive into an immersive, 80-minute loop of Mmuta Di Uto’s most beloved educational cartoons—perfect for young learners to sing, dance, and absorb Igbo language and culture. This compilation features:

Igbo Alphabet Song (Abụọ Na Irè): A catchy tune that introduces each letter of the Igbo alphabet with fun animations and clear subtitles.

Igbo Number Song (Onu Ogugu): Count from 1 to 10 (and beyond!) in Igbo alongside colorful characters, complete with English and Igbo captions to reinforce learning.

Igbo Body Part Song (Egwu Akuku Ahu): Explore body parts in Igbo, from “isi” (head) to “ụkwụ” (leg), with engaging visuals and on-screen text for both languages.

Igbo Color Song (Egwu Agwa): Learn colors through vibrant scenes, as Nwaada Agu and friends point out every shade in Igbo and English, supported by karaoke-style subtitles.

Unu Dum Theme Song: Sing along to the popular theme from our animated folktale, “Unu Dum,” with bilingual subtitles that help reinforce vocabulary and pronunciation.

Whether you’re a parent seeking a fun way to expose your child to Igbo, an educator looking for classroom-friendly resources, or a young learner ready to explore language through music and animation, this video is designed to captivate and educate. The continuous loop ensures non-stop entertainment and repeated exposure—ideal for:

Long car rides or quiet playtime

Classroom background during learning activities

Bedtime routines, helping kids wind down with gentle melodies

Supplementing homeschooling or after-school enrichment

All segments include synchronized subtitles (Igbo and English), so children can follow along word-for-word. Subtitles appear karaoke-style during each song, encouraging reading practice and pronunciation. By the end of the 80-minute loop, viewers will have repeated exposure to fundamental Igbo vocabulary—reinforcing retention and making learning feel effortless.

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Why Mmuta Di Uto?
Our mission is to preserve and promote the Igbo language through engaging, age-appropriate media. Every song and animation is crafted by native speakers and educators to ensure cultural authenticity and pedagogical soundness. With this compilation, you’re not only entertaining your child—you’re laying the foundation for bilingualism, cultural pride, and lifelong learning.

Looking for more?

Visit our YouTube channel for individual song playlists and full-length stories.

Check out our website (link in the description) for downloadable coloring pages, lesson plans, and subscription options for early access to new content.

Join our Patreon community for exclusive sneak peeks, live Q&A sessions, and printable resources tailored to young Igbo learners.

Let the music play, the subtitles guide, and the learning begin—80 minutes of joy, discovery, and Igbo greatness awaits!

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Tanya Stephens - A Nuh My Man Dat (Official Audio) | Sugar Dumpling Riddim

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