Nigeria is a sizable nation with 371 distinct ethnic groups that speak their own languages and sub-dialects. Every tribe has unique histories, customs, traditions, and mythologies. Keeping in contact with different cultures is crucial as the globe gets smaller due to the internet and the global village phenomena. Making these tales into movies and television shows is one of the finest methods to make sure we tell them.

Without a doubt, our indigenous stories have strength, particularly those that are recounted in the native tongues. Africa Magic has already highlighted a few minority communities in Nigeria, such as the Idoma on Ajoche or the Itsekiri on Riona. These programs, however, were in English.

This September, Africa Magic will launch new original indigenous shows on the local language channels- Kariya (AM Hausa), Apo (AM Yoruba) and Iwe (AM Igbo). A previous run had seen the emergence of Irora Iya, Dala Dala and Nwanyi Ike.

APO (Bag)

Imagine this – you walk into your compound one bright morning and find a bag filled with money, a gun and some charms. What do you do? That’s what happens to the Olanrewaju Compound tenants in Apo (bag or sack). Apo, a 26-part Yoruba series that follows six poor tenants living in a face-me-I-face-you building after they find a bag filled with money, charms and a gun in their compound. They see the money as a chance to escape their current financial realities and will go to any length to ‘secure the bag’. They don’t know a ghost is haunting the money and will punish whoever finally gets it. Don’t miss this explosive show when it premieres in September. It will air every Monday and Tuesday at 6:30 pm on Africa Magic Yoruba. Enjoy repeat broadcasts every Saturday and Sunday at 6:30 pm.

IWE (anger)

Iwe (anger) digs deep into pre-colonial Igbo land with some elements of mythology. It is an 80-part series about two kingdoms, once brothers ages ago but now separated by decades of resentment, jealousy and greed. A brave young prince, fueled by a deep desire to prove himself and propelled by unrecognised forces, takes a bold step to save his kingdom from its oppressor and unknowingly reconnects with his real family. He is unaware that his destiny is more intertwined with those of his enemies than he ever imagined. Iwe will launch on September 18 and air every weekday on Africa Magic Igbo at 7 pm.

KARIYA

To our Hausa-speaking viewers, the newly-wedded and about-to-be-married couples of any tribe, and romantic drama lovers comes Kariya (Sanctuary). Kariya premieres on September 22 and airs new episodes every Monday to Wednesday at 8 pm. Kariya is about renowned Islamic relationship counsellors Tariq and Hadiza Al-Hassan, who are on the brink of divorce after Tariq’s infidelity threatens to become a public scandal. Zara, Tariq’s mistress, is carrying his child and threatening to disclose this along with their long affair on social media if he does not pay her off. Amidst the turmoil, they face a home invasion of armed individuals on the run from the police. Bound and gagged, Tariq and Hadiza must cooperate to survive and ensure their captors remain satisfied. As tension mounts and secrets are unveiled, their fates intertwine, testing loyalties and pushing the boundaries of trust.

These series, albeit in different genres and languages, will compel viewers to think deeply and reconsider life as they know it. They will induce family discourse, causing each member to answer the ‘what would you do if this was you’ question. Most of all, they promise to be intriguing, exciting, and entertaining and keep viewers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

With its promise of captivating storytelling, Africa Magic continues to lead in the delivery of true-to-life storytelling and experiences like no other. Visit Africa Magic for additional information.