Traditional Fusion Music from East Africa

The wikiendi is live & Alive at nafasi art space

Traditional Fusion Music from East Africa

The event kicked off at Nafasi during the early hours of the day (10am) with some of the most popular crafts and arts vendors as well as artists participating in the art Market. During the afternoon the session that followed was family fun activities such as painting, drawing, and games. The Wikiendi Live Pamoja Tena program included also the official opening of the exhibition titled “Altered States” which was curated by Nafasi’s Visual Art Manager Jesse Gerard and Director Rebecca Corey, whereas artists exhibited works reflecting on how this year has been of sudden realignment with the existence of global pandemic which forced so many of us to adapt new altered states of being and see how we can be able to contain our environment. The exhibition involved mostly talented artists from Tanzania including Raza Mohamed an established artist who has been in forefront of the modern art scene in Tanzania with over half a century experience and having inspired a number of artists in Tanzania.

“WIKIENDI LIVE! is a unique and vibrant live music event dedicated to showcasing traditional African beats and fusion. The platform features artists from Tanzania, as well as visiting regional and international artists.”

Among other artists who showcased their pieces includes Amani Abeid a self-taught visual artist with multiple talents in illustrations, paintings, comics and other creative genres, Masoud Kibwana, a local artist who has grown into one of the most unique

Nafasi Art Space partnered with the French Embassy in Tanzania and Alliance Francaise Dar es Salaam to host the 23rd edition of the Wikiendi Live Festival series themed “Pamoja Tena”. Dar’s most diverse and family friendly art and culture festival aimed at bringing people together again, “Pamoja Tena,” following closures related to the Coronavirus pandemic.

voices in Tanzanian Art as his painting have been reflecting the struggles of the world and our ability to overcome them. His paintings are colored by intense colors and angular flourished emphasized by an expert layering of canvas multi-disciplinary. Another participant was Valerie Amani, her art pieces having narratives around the changing complexities of identity and body, along with the nuances of daily existence through an African feminine lens , also in the list was Lazaro Samuel who has been mentored to become a fully grown into his talent at Nafasi art Space, Tadhi Alawi a choreographer and Yoga Instructor who showcased his performing piece called “Stay at Home” and lastly Andrew Munua a self-taught photographer, graphic designer, and street artist based in Dar es salaam. His piece focuses on daily African urban life in relation to space and contemporary culture and for the exhibition he showed his clip titled ‘Tumaini la ishi.’

On the performing art side was accompanied by drum and traditional dance workshops which was facilitated by artists called Chindo and

Shine Dance group members of Nafasi Art space and in the evening closed with live music performances from talented musicians lined up by Nafasi’s Performing Art Manager Kwame Mchauru in which was opened by amazing performance from an all-female band called Bahati Band followed by exciting performances from artists Shabo Makota, Girls Power Dance Group, One the Incredible, Wahapahapa Band, Tara Jazz Band from Zanzibar , Leo Mkanyia and closed with a surprise performance from 3G Singeli band a group of talented artists who have

been mentored under Nafasi Performing Art department with support from On the Corner Record a record label (UK).

The night was amazing and full of energetic sessions as the artists were determined each band performed some of their classic bangers which got the attention of the audience to dance and sing along with the artists in addition to that there was also in between contemporary dance from dancers from Muda Africa.

We are deeply humbled by the audience of more than 400+ people who turned out and the fact that you took time on your busy schedule and come celebrate with us. Your participation made the festival an awesome and unique experience for

everyone. Once again thank you and we look forward to continuing connecting and supporting art & culture development in Tanzania.

WIKIENDI LIVE! Is a quarterly event organized by Nafasi Art Space in Dar es Salaam together with CHAPCHAP interactive art fairs, with artistic and programming support from the Tanzania Heritage Project.

Picture Courtesy of Nafasi Art Space