Central African Republic Civil War

Central African Republic · 2012–ongoing

"Look at the map's center, and do not mistake a central place for a settled one."

Seleka came from the north accusing Francois Bozize of broken promises, but by the time its fighters entered Bangui and Michel Djotodia took power, rebellion had already begun turning into something wider and harder to govern.

The lesson the elders kept: Protection is the first grammar of citizenship. When the state cannot speak it, militias translate fear into identity and neighbors begin to inherit each other's suspicion.

Jelikan · Ìtàn · A story is told at night

Sit by the fire.
The griot remembers.

244 tellings from the African Conflict Atlas, every one carried in the griot's own voice — empires and uprisings, taxes and stools, gold roads and broken promises. Told the way a griot tells them: by voice, by lesson, by question.

“A story, a story!”

32 fires burn through the year →

Choose a thread

What shall the fire hear tonight?

Tonight

All time

1200 CEToday

— and the circle answers: “Let it come, let it go.”

Sit by the fire.The griot remembers.

What shall the fire hear tonight?

Sit by the fire.
The griot remembers.