A group of people dance energetically among tall, colorful hanging ribbons on a dimly lit stage, while others sit and watch from the edges. A group of people dance energetically among tall, colorful hanging ribbons on a dimly lit stage, while others sit and watch from the edges.
Six performers in long black costumes and elaborate red and white headdresses pose dramatically on stage, whilst another person stands behind them. Stage equipment and cables are visible in the background. Six performers in long black costumes and elaborate red and white headdresses pose dramatically on stage, whilst another person stands behind them. Stage equipment and cables are visible in the background.
A tall, abstract sculpture is draped in colorful, patterned fabric strips that extend outward on the floor in different directions, set against a dark background. A tall, abstract sculpture is draped in colorful, patterned fabric strips that extend outward on the floor in different directions, set against a dark background.
A person in a gray outfit and colorful, beaded hat plays a flute while kneeling on a dimly lit stage, with patterned fabric strips on the floor and several people seated in the background. A person in a gray outfit and colorful, beaded hat plays a flute while kneeling on a dimly lit stage, with patterned fabric strips on the floor and several people seated in the background.

Touring: The Divination Palace | A UK/Catalan co-production

The Divination Palace is a scalable performance installation inspired by African art and music. Available for indoor and outdoor touring in the UK and Internationally.
  • Dates: Barcelona’s La Mercè Festival on 26 – 27 September 2026

Available to Tour: A multi-sensory performance & participatory installation. Created by Dr Jim Parris (UK) and Xumo Nunjo (Cameroon/Catalonia).

Inspired by the power of divination and art as tools for navigating life, The Divination Palace is a unique participatory performance installation inspired by African divination practices. Combining live performance, music, movement and fabrice installation, the work invites audiences to create a contemporary ritual of reflection and connection.

The indoor version premiered in 2025 at Teatre Principal d’Olot, Catalonia. Now, the artists are developing an outdoor adaptation ahead of its official premiere at Barcelona’s La Mercè Festival on 26–27 September 2026.

  • Scalable and adaptable
  • Suitable for indoors/outdoors; galleries, theatres, festivals, site-specific
  • Transportable in suitcases (no freight necessary)

Each presentation becomes a shared experience between artists and audience: an unfolding act of divination, creativity, and connection.

Dossier: The Divination Palace (Outdoor and Indoor Show)

Teaser from Outdoor Open Rehearsal 

SHORT FILM TRAILER: The Divination Palace (2mins 22 secs)

Developed by Dr. Jim Parris (UK), artist and academic, in collaboration with Xumo Nunjo (Cameroon/Catalonia composer/performer), in association with Company Chameleon (Kevin Edward Turner, as Performance Director), Anthony Missen (Creative Director) and a team of leading Global Majority artists and academics.

The Divination Palace is scalable and adaptable, making it suitable for a wide range of venues and contexts — from galleries and festivals to theatres and site-specific environments. Each presentation becomes a shared experience between artists and audience: an unfolding act of divination, creativity, and connection.

To discuss booking The Divination Palace to tour to indoor and outdoor locations, contact maggie@xtrax.org.uk or  sophia@xtrax.org.uk

The Divination Palace stems from Jim Parris PhD research into African art and its connections to divination, music, and ritual practice. Other creative collaborators who have developed the project include Dr Olu Taiwo (University of Winchester), Charles Lauder (Director), Josephe Cocles (Painter/Visual Artist) and Tommy Scribbles (Designer).

 

Photo credits: The Divination Palace © David Juvanteny

Commissioned by Teatre Principal d’Olot, XTRAX and DanceEast

R&D supported by: Manchester International Festival and 101 Creation Centre

Produced by: XTRAX

Funded by Arts Council England

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Short Film & Summary

The most fundamental aesthetic principle in Africa concerning music or anything else is that without participation there is no meaning – you can go so far as to consider African music as being a form of co-operation that happens also to produce sound.
Andrew Tracy