UMAMA is a documentary short that explores love, legacy, and loss in the wake of death. The film follows the journey of my 9-year-old son, Isaiah—a South African-American boy—after the passing of my mother and grandfather within months of each other. In the midst of grief, I embark on a quest to connect Isaiah with his paternal cultural roots, despite his never having met his father or any of his South African family.

From Washington, D.C. to KwaZulu-Natal—the heart of the Zulu Kingdom—UMAMA celebrates the cultural ties that span continents and shape a young boy’s identity, passions, and sense of purpose. This first-person narrative weaves together a broader exploration of maternal lineage and the intersections of Zulu, South African, and Black American culture.

Through personal storytelling, archival footage, animated graphics, and an original score, UMAMA captures the intimate cost of loss and the power of cultural inheritance. At its core, the film is a portrait of a mother and son navigating grief, rediscovering gratitude, and honoring the wisdom their loved ones left behind.