Makuya Festival

Bio

Few regions of Africa have been untouched by the outside world, even fewer have populations still living that can remember life with minimal foreign influences, but Mtwara, Tanzania is one such place. Mtwara’s late development has left it with a rich reservoir of empirical knowledge of a “purer” African life and traditional culture in the minds of its elders. Some of these elders are old enough to remember life prior to woven textiles, corn and matches. There are countless stories on how life was lived and perceived; unique, not just from tribe to tribe, but village to village.

Their perceptions on birth, death, marriage, pregnancy, courtship, superstitions, and the power of witchcraft provide an intriguing and ethnologically important alternative perception of life. Also practices related to medicines, food, illness, dance, music, storytelling, and justice have interest and shape their unique identity.

The ADEA/MaKuYa team has already interviews over 120 elders and collected nearly 100 artifacts to begin this exploration. But we are seeking funds to further conduct interviews to document the past traditional life of Mtwara though recording, photography, and video. ADEA holds a unique and trusted relations with the villagers of Mtwara through its launching of the annual MaKuYa Traditional Life and Culture Festival in 2008, and meetings held with elders beginning in 2006.

TZMtwara, Tanzania
In operation since: 
2006

Contact

Makuya Festival
Profile added by In-house East Africa on 13 Mar 2015
Advert
Apply for showcases