Shanti-Chi

Djeli Chinyere: artistic director of Shanti-Chi(2009) and founder of the Nne Agwu Afrakan Storytelling Festival (2010); inheriting the family responsibility of a Djeli Ezinwanyi spent 12 years travelling across the globe wondering, “Does the Djeli have a significant role in the well-being of her community?” This question frames the progression of her art form. With over 36 years’ experience, she engages and delivers with a highly trained and dedicated team, well-designed, high-energy, innovative presentations which allow liberating, respectful and honest expression.

Djeli Chinyere is a blend of Igbo, English & spiritual cultures mixed with ancient spirituality from a lineage of Djeli’s, Community leaders & Dibia’s with 36 years study & research into oral traditional techniques. Formed Shanti-Chi in 2009 to promote, preserve, celebrate & elevate the art of the djeli storytelling. Djeli Chinyere always open to learning has undertaken oral history training (Oral History Society) & Theatre Directing (Central school of speech and drama)

Founded Nne Agwu Storytelling Festival (2010) to explore the art form in nature & have performed ancient stories in various woodlands, gardens, parks & theatres around London, Britain & globally. Griot also designs & develops collections of retreats, walks & sanctuaries around an original script.

Djeli Chinyere designs, writes & directs theatre and storytelling projects within well-established organisations such as Entelechy, Leadership foundation, The Royal National Theatre, NYT, NHS, The Royal & Derngate theatre, Weekend Arts College, including a number of schools, colleges, community centres, libraries, youth centres, museums, day centres, PRU’s & prisons. With a wonderful sense of engagement, she draws upon her heritage, an encyclopaedia of Afrakan folklore and the results of her field work to support her work.

Djeli Chinyere is evolving the work of the oral tradition through delving into how the structures, the living space, the community areas and the materials we use to define those spaces affects our story and well being. This research informs the Nne Agwu village build Ghana.