feature: xaritufoto pushes efforts to preserve the intangible photographic history and heritage of africa

XARITUFOTO is a conservation initiative, born as a necessary measure to preserve the photographic heritage of Africa. The Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural—a global culture preservation program—was adopted by UNESCO in 1972, however, this enterprise was only concerned with the preservation of tangible culture, such as monuments and buildings. Instead, XARITUFOTO, founded in 2010, aims to protect the intangible bits of heritage, like audiovisual storytelling, first-hand testimony, and of course, photographic history.

Two photographers whose work has been preserved by XARITUFOTO are Roger daSilva and Baïdy Sow. DaSilva, a WWII veteran born in Porto Novo towards the end of 1925, began shooting pictures during the war, before returning to Dakar and pursuing a photography career. Baïdy Sow, a life-long photographer and celebrated photojournalist and former Treasurer of the Association of Senegalese Filmmakers, has also been preserved by this initiative. Check out some of their benchmark images below.

By Erin White*, AFROPUNK contributor

www.xaritufoto.org

*Erin White is AFROPUNK’s editorial and social media assistant. You can follow her on Tumblr or friend her on Facebook. Have a pitch or an inquiry? Shoot her an email at erin@afropunk.com.