From sacred clay to algorithmic code What does it mean to capture the likeness of a soul, whether using sacred earth or lines of code? Oriiz looks at how capturing likeness has always been a political act, from the ritual workshops of ancient Ifẹ to today’s AI systems that shape our identities. Form is never […]

Together, griots and hip-hop reveal the persistence of oral storytelling as archive, critique, and anthem. For centuries, Malian griots preserved dynasties, histories, and values through song. Their performances were more than entertainment: they were living archives, binding memory to rhythm, weaving identity into melody. The griot’s voice carried authority and continuity, transforming words into heritage […]