“Eitai”

The documentary, entitled ‘Eitai’ which is an Ateso word for community togetherness, is filmed in Teso sub-region, Uganda. Teso is a marginalised rural area of North-Eastern Uganda. The documentary is based on my doctoral research which was conducted in this area.

Eitai explores issues of climate change and the resultant poverty, alcoholism, and various forms of gender-based violence (GBV). It explores how the social enterprise projects provide economic wellbeing as well as a safe space for the community to share knowledge, combat climate issues through the planting of trees, and sensitise communities through music, drama, and dance.

The documentary demonstrates the importance of Indigenous Knowledge, particularly communitarianism and the need to develop stronger relationships with each other, the land, and non-humans to prevent further damage to our planet. Eitai captures many unique stories concerning the fight against HIV and GBV which are relayed through the participants’ stories, music, and dance.