Chakula x Chagos Reclaimed: Engaging with Britain’s Last Remaining Colony

If you’ve seen the news recently on the sovereignty of Diego Garcia and the other Chagos Islands, you might be wondering what are the Chagos Islands and why are they so significant?

In short, between 1968 and 1973 Britain forcibly displaced the entire Chagossian population from the Chagos to Mauritius and the Seychelles, to construct a US naval base on the largest island of the archipelago, Diego Garcia.

In an inspiring evening, Chagossian descendants Audrey Albert (Multi-Disciplinary Artist and Creative Facilitator), Chrisyl Wong-Hang-Sun (Ethnographer and Poet), Ellianne Baptiste (Filmmaker) and Thierry Mandarin (Social Researcher and Writer) will share more about their work, their personal journeys, and how they are engaging with their heritage amidst the ongoing occupation and uncertainty of their ancestral homelands.

The event will begin with a screening on the Human Rights Watch documentary, ‘The Last British Colony in Africa’, which Ellianne Baptiste co-produced, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with all speakers. In the last hour, we will have some poetry readings by Chrisyl Wong-Hang-Sun, as well as some time to socialise and network, with coconut-flavoured snacks, drinks, and some ambient Mauritian/Chagossian tracks in the background.

In a time where we are witnessing mass conflict and climate change effects resulting in staggering numbers of forcibly displaced peoples, perhaps we can learn a thing or two from young diasporic Chagossians who are determined to keep their heritage and culture alive.

Free Event | Everyone is welcome - please RSVP on Eventbrite to secure your ticket!

Event format

6pm - Arrival and Welcome

6.30pm - Screening of Human Rights Watch documentary

7pm - In conversation with speakers followed by Q&A

8pm - Social event (Music & Refreshments available)

9pm – End

Speakers

Ellianne Baptiste (Filmmaker)

Thierry Mandarin (Social Researcher and Writer)

Chrisyl Wong-Hang-Sun (Ethnographer and Poet)

Audrey Albert (Multi-Disciplinary Artist and Creative Facilitator)

About Chakula

The Chakula programme is a monthly series of events, workshops and dialogues geared towards supporting and empowering Black and African LGBTQ+ communities at The Africa Centre.

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