It started quietly—as a simple idea to introduce key biblical stories to children in East Africa through an animated series, adapted to their cultural context and told in a way that speaks "their language". But over time, the project grew, gaining traction in many parts of the world.

The Legacy of Adam, an animated series, now has the potential to reach millions.

About a decade ago, Anne Marken Gihlemoen moved with her husband and children from Norway to Tanzania to serve as a missionary with the Norwegian Lutheran Mission.

Her husband, Roger Gihlemoen—a programmer, graphic artist, and animation director—spent the first year at home with their two daughters to help them learn English.

Eventually, he began wondering how he could contribute in this new environment. He wanted to do something he knew and loved. That’s when the idea was born: to create something meaningful for local children.

Thus, The Legacy of Adam was conceived—a series that would tell foundational Bible stories in a simple and culturally relatable way. At first, Gihlemoen envisioned it as a modest solo project. He walked the streets and markets of Tanzania, studying local street art, seeking a distinctive style rooted in the local culture.

The visual outcome of the project, years later, is truly unique and striking to Western eyes. The characters appear to be made of clay (a nod to Adam being formed from the earth), and their clothing and details feature what’s known as "recycled art".

In short, Gihlemoen used waste materials to craft original visual elements: snakes and crocodiles have skin made of rusty screws and nuts, the sacrificial lamb is pieced together from strips of printed metal, stones on the path resemble plastic tubes or shards of glass, and trees look like they’ve been weaved from wires and beads.

This approach was inspired by Tanzanian souvenir vendors, who often turn scrap materials—cans, wires, broken glass, plastic—into handcrafted decorations, such as animal figurines sold to tourists.

"It’s similar to Dutch wooden clogs", Gihlemoen explains. "People in the Netherlands don’t wear clogs anymore, but they’re still a symbol of the country. Recycled art is a symbol here. I wanted a visual style that reflects East African culture. I used glass, metal, local colors… all inspired by what I saw around me. I want people to identify with it and see it as part of their own cultural heritage," he told Czech magazine Život víry.

Five original scripts were written and later divided into shorter episodes, each about 12 minutes long, to better suit modern viewing habits. Each series has its own theme and musical motif.

The series include key stories of the Bible: Creation and Adam & Eve, Abraham and Isaac, David and Goliath, Mary, Joseph and the Birth of Jesus, and The Death and Resurrection of Jesus.

The first six episodes are now available online, covering the creation of the world, Adam and Eve’s expulsion from Eden, God’s promise to Abram, and the births of Ishmael and Isaac.

The animated characters are portrayed by real actors who are digitally altered beyond recognition. This allowed a single actor to play Adam, Isaac, David, Joseph, and Jesus. "At first, we aimed for a Disney-like animation, but ultimately chose a more stylized, less realistic approach—partly to avoid debates about skin color", Gihlemoen explains.

[photo_footer] The whole visual approach to the series is very much focused on Africa. / The Legacy of Adam.  [/photo_footer] 

A joke that paid off

As the project grew in scope and ambition, more collaborators joined and funding became a necessity. Producing a single episode costs around €50,000. Though the series is now supported by small donors and crowdfunding, it all began with a bold, unexpected moment.

"I think it was early 2017, when representatives from Norea—a nonprofit mission organization—visited Kenya", Gihlemoen recalls.

"I had no idea who they were, but someone suggested I go meet them and present my project. Maybe they’d support it. I wasn’t expecting much. I met with three suited men and read them the entire script for the fourth story, about Jesus’ birth. I could see they were moved, which boosted my confidence. And when I’m nervous, I tend to crack jokes—deadpan. So I said, ‘Gentlemen, what if you gave me $50,000 so I could buy professional equipment?’ They said nothing. Just wrote something down. A few days later, I got an email asking what I needed the money for. So it turned out to be a successful joke," he laughs.

They exchanged more emails. Roger Gihlemoen tried to source second-hand gear, but found nothing suitable in East Africa. Eventually, he bought equipment from the U.S., under the agreement that he’d sell it later and return the money. Which he did.

Using professional tools alongside handmade methods, the team produced a much higher-quality product than expected. This opened new doors and raised their ambitions.

The difference in visual quality between the first episode, made in 2019, and the sixth is unmistakable.

The production team now includes graphic designers, singers, actors, translators, and even theologians. As with any biblical adaptation, ensuring theological accuracy is a challenge.

Gihlemoen is mindful of this and has rewritten scripts when needed. For example, Hagar was initially portrayed negatively, but he later realized that Abraham and Sarah were actually at fault, and revised the portrayal.

Ultimately, Gihlemoen sees The Legacy of Adam as a tool to introduce people to Jesus. His aim is to captivate East African children and convey timeless biblical truths. The series was originally created in Swahili—the lingua franca of the region—then dubbed into African English.

As interest grows, translations into Somali, Turkish, Arabic, British English, and Norwegian are in progress. Where the series might end up, no one knows—but there’s already interest from Christian communities in East Asia and even the United States.

Reaching Muslim children... and their mothers

Even the original goal—reaching Tanzanian children—is ambitious, considering that a significant portion of the population is Muslim. "My target audience is a Muslim mother with four or five children. If she’s intrigued, she’ll let her kids watch. Fathers aren’t as involved—they’re working, gathering at the mosque, or socializing. The mother is the heart of the household. If I reach her, I reach the children", says Gihlemoen.

And what do Tanzanian female viewers say about the series? "Islam doesn’t teach us much about Jesus. I would really like to learn what His life story was actually like. I really love the story of Abraham and Sarah," says Amina.

[photo_footer] Kids watch the series.  / The Legacy of Adam.  [/photo_footer] 

Another viewer, Neema, adds: "The film is amazing. At first I thought it was mainly for children, but when I watched it, I learned something myself. The story is written professionally and beautifully."

Gihlemoen acknowledges that reactions from Muslims may vary—after all, the series retells the Bible. But since many of the stories and characters are mentioned (even briefly) in the Quran, he hopes this approach might spark interest, offering viewers in Islamic countries a fuller picture of Adam and Eve, Abraham’s life, and—most importantly—Jesus.

"Some will reject it. But some will watch", he says, hopeful that even Muslim teenagers, questioning their faith, may be drawn in.

In a video on the series website, Gihlemoen reflects on his childhood. As a young boy, he was moved by the words of a Christian song: "Here I am, Jesus—send me."

Around age twelve, he began praying those words. What it would mean for his life, he couldn’t have imagined.

"Looking back, it’s been an eight-year journey of ups, downs, and unusual experiences. I hope it’s of God, not just from me. I believe God has a good memory—and He prepared and used a willing boy from Knapstad to expand His kingdom," Gihlemoen concludes.

"The Legacy of Adam is a project of great faith. I can’t do it alone—but with God, it could have a big impact".

You can find more information on the film series here.

Tomáš Coufal and Lucie Vlasáková are editors of Czech evangelical magazine Život víry (Life of Faith). This article was translated and adapted with permission.

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