Unknown Destination | Usifu Jalloh | TEDxLSTM

Usifu Jalloh is a highly experienced, talented award-winning performer and educator who has been working in arts education for over 20 years. His roots in multicultural Sierra Leone, and his long standing and close association with artists and audiences from a wide range of cultures, have led him to develop a storytelling style which encompasses international languages, music, dance and story themes. He was born in Kamakwie in the Bombali District of northern Sierra Leone.
Usifu has a passion for motivating young people to educate themselves within the context of their culture. Along with Storytelling and music, he has established Maambena Fest through the Aruna Jalloh Foundation and National Storytelling Festival in Sierra Leone as the vehicles he uses to accomplish this laudable goal.
His production Africa's Cowfoot and The Cowfoot Chronicles serves as a platform for promoting Sierra Leonean and African cultures as a whole by embodying them within the rich Oral heritages of his ancestry.
A keynote speaker at various UK Universities and often quoted in a variety of genre and publications including authors such as Frank Wynne (2006). He has co-written and co-published an epic play 'Sweet Peter' representing the experience of slavery, colonialism and war in Sierra Leone.
His latest film/documentary The Cowfoot Prince the film is a collaboration with director Bex Singleton and the National Film and Television School. His recent role in theatre includes the award-winning play The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives, at the Arcola Theatre, with acclaimed director Femi Elufowoju Jnr. He has performed at the Scottish International Storytelling festival and the ReImagined Storytelling festival in Kenya amongst others.
With extensive radio programs for BBC World Service as a judge for the African Play writer's competition and BBC Radio 4 as a presenter and storyteller Usifu Jalloh paves the way for future Storytellers to emulate. He presented the successful radio program Pikin To Pikin Tok with the NGO Child to Child, designed for children in Sierra Leone addressing the issues of health, sanitation and teenage pregnancy.
Usifu Jalloh has worked extensively globally, performing his stories and delivering workshops throughout the educational and entertainment sector. Countries include Argentina, Mexico, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Nigeria, India, Bahrain, Germany, Jordan, France, Italy, Spain, Peru, Colombia and Kenya.
Usifu Jalloh is a highly experienced, talented award winning performer and educator who has been working in arts education for over 20 years. His roots in multicultural Sierra Leone, and his long standing and close association with artists and audiences from a wide range of cultures, have lead him to develop a storytelling style which encompasses international languages, music, dance and story themes. He was born in Kamakwie in the Bombali District of northern Sierra Leone. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx