Ababacar Samb-makharam -: Jom (1982)

By centering the film on a griot, Samb-Makharam emphasizes the importance of oral tradition and collective memory in shaping national identity.

Ababacar Samb-Makharam’s (also known as Jom ou l'histoire d'un peuple ) is a cornerstone of African cinema that explores the Wolof concept of "Jom" —a term encompassing dignity, courage, and self-respect.

At the heart of the film is the belief that is the source of all virtues. Samb-Makharam defines it as: Ababacar Samb-Makharam - Jom (1982)

The film uses the griot Khaly to bridge the past and present, showing that the struggles of today are rooted in a long history of resistance. Story Segment Theme of "Jom" Colonial Era

Born in Dakar in 1934, Ababacar Samb-Makharam was a prominent figure in the (Pan-African Federation of Filmmakers). He studied film in Paris and Rome, and his work, including his debut Et la neige n'était plus (1965), often dealt with the search for African identity in a post-colonial world. By centering the film on a griot, Samb-Makharam

While celebrated for its vivid pageantry and intensity, some critics have noted that the film "cherry-picks" historical figures. For instance, the historical Prince Dieri was also a known slave trader, a detail the film omits to maintain its allegorical focus on anti-colonialism. About the Director

The film is structured as a series of historical parables told by a (a traditional oral historian) named Khaly to a group of contemporary striking workers in Senegal. The Concept of "Jom" Samb-Makharam defines it as: The film uses the

Sacrificing one's life to maintain dignity against colonial masters.