A History of Ordinary People in Africa (HOPIA) is a cultural heritage project consisting of a series of historical exhibitions. It is undertaken by members of the Oxford University Africa Society in partnership with Fusion Arts Oxford and supported by TORCH as part of the Humanities Cultural Programme, and the Oxford African Studies Centre.
HOPIA emphasises the social experience of everyday life and reveals how ordinary people participate in the process of social change. It draws on oral histories, historical artefacts, and photographs to project into the past, centring on women and the underrepresented, and spotlighting their resistance, activism, preservation of traditions, innovations, creativity, and contribution towards positive change.
Project themes:
Women and Societal Change
Women and Heritage
Women, Family and Entrepreneurship
