Chale Wote 2025: What “The Orbs Beneath the Nile Lead to Kongo” Really Means

Accra is about to light up again. 🎉 From August 18th, Osu’s streets will explode with murals, music, dance, food, parades, and the energy of thousands of people coming together for the 15th edition of Chale Wote Street Art Festival.

But if you’ve seen this year’s theme — “The Orbs Beneath the Nile Lead to Kongo” you might be asking: Wait, what does that even mean?

Let’s break it down.

The Orbs: Africa’s Hidden Power

Think of the “orbs” as glowing treasures buried under Africa’s soil and spirit our ancestral wisdom, creative energy, and resilience. Even though colonialism, slavery, and exploitation tried to erase them, they’re still here. At Chale Wote, artists bring these orbs back to life through murals, performances, music, and rituals on the streets.

From Nile to Kongo: Ancient to Present

The Nile represents Africa’s ancient civilizations knowledge, spirituality, and roots.
The Kongo represents both resistance (fighting colonialism) and the ongoing story of Africa’s resources being taken. From ivory and rubber in the past to cobalt for your phone today, Congo shows the struggle of being rich in resources but robbed of wealth.

By connecting Nile and Kongo, the festival reminds us that Africa’s strength runs deep — and that art is a way to keep resisting and imagining new futures.

Why It Matters at Chale Wote

Since 2011, Chale Wote has been more than just a street party. It’s a Pan-African movement that turns Accra into a giant open-air gallery and performance stage. Past themes explored Afrofuturism and alternate realities. This year is about digging into ancestral geographies to inspire today’s liberation.

Chale Wote 2025 Date – What to Expect This Week

Here’s how the festival unfolds:

• Monday 18th August – Day of ReMembering: a powerful street procession honoring ancestors, followed by the opening of the Shika Shika Art Fair.
• Weekdays – film labs, workshops, artist talks, and intimate moments to connect with the creators.
• Weekend (the big one!) – Osu turns into a carnival of murals, music, food, performances, parades, and thousands of people celebrating freedom, art, and imagination.

Why You Should Go

Chale Wote isn’t just about taking selfies in front of cool murals (though you’ll definitely do that). It’s about stepping into Africa’s story, feeling the pulse of resistance and creativity, and becoming part of a community that’s re-imagining what freedom looks like.

As Kwame Nkrumah said: “We face neither East nor West; we face forward.” At Chale Wote 2025, we’re facing forward — but we’re also looking deep, pulling up those orbs, and letting them light our path.

👉 Tip: Wear comfy shoes, bring water, and come ready to dance, paint, eat, and get lost in Accra’s most unforgettable week of the year.