Three women in art: Their works show pain and ecstasy Kampala, Uganda | DOMINIC MUWANGUZI | Since the traditional era, women have played a central role in art in Africa; mainly infusing artistic attributes to utilitarian objects they create. The basket weaving and beading practiced by ethnic Hima and Tutsi affirm this …
Read More »Kigali hosts protest music exhibition
Great Black Music exhibition documents the protest history of black music Kigali, Rwanda| JOSEPH ONDIEK| Black music played a large part in bringing freedom, not only in the United States from slavery and civil rights movement but also in Africa and the Caribbean. It raised the consciousness of those suffering from different …
Read More »Fête de la Musique in full gear in Uganda
Alliance Française opened their week-long music festival Fête de la Musique on Sunday June 18 at QuePasa in Kampala, drawing a large and lively crowd. The line up of artists included lesser known but highly talented Uganda singers, poets and instrumentalists including Body of Brian, Wake the Poet, Apio Moro …
Read More »Fête de la Musique comes to Uganda June 18-24
The World Music Week (Fête de la Musique) that started in France in 1982, comes to Uganda again this week. This year the Alliance Française Kampala in collaboration with the Embassy of France in Uganda, the Sheraton Hotel Kampala, the Ecole Française les Grands Lacs, the Pearl Rhythm Foundation, Que …
Read More »In Africa’s fashion capital, Lagos, ‘trad is swag’
Lagos, Nigeria | AFP | Leggy dancers in tight shorts, bottles of Moet champagne and flashy cars feature in Nigerian pop icon Wizkid’s bling-bling music videos. But the singer himself has now swapped the Versace T-shirts and low-slung jeans that show his underwear for traditional African dress — a new …
Read More »Laba! festival brings Ubuntu spirit to city
Ubuntu simply means “spirit of togetherness in all humanity regardless of gender, age, race, or colour. And it was the theme of this year’s Laba! Festival held on May 27 in the Kamwokya suburb of Kampala city. The festival held annually along a section of Bukoto Street in Kamwokya where …
Read More »Black face white mask
Rukundo’s goes under the skin of colour perceptions Skin bleaching treatments are a global phenomenon. They are common in the Caribbean, Middle East, Asia, South America, and several African countries including Rwanda. Rwanda visual artist Baptiste Rukundo is among those who see a dark side to using lightening products. This …
Read More »Hooray for… Kumawood! Ghana’s fastest filmmakers
Kumasi, Ghana | AFP | India has its Bollywood and Nigeria, Nollywood. Even New Zealand has a Wellywood. In Ghana, films made in Kumasi and the surrounding region go by a similar shorthand — Kumawood. The cultural heart of Ghana is about five hours’ drive from the more cosmopolitan coastal …
Read More »Affirmative Art exhibit fosters self-discovery
Finding purpose in life continues to preoccupy many minds world over-regardless of gender, intellect and age. In fact, many people say they are working at jobs that do not provide them with fulfillment. The result of such experience is a person living an unhappy life that consequently affects his performance …
Read More »Breakdance aces head to Jinja on June 11 for Eastern Region eliminations
The Break-Fast Jam 2017 Eastern Uganda eliminations are expected to be fiercely contested, with entries expected from dance power house Kenya. “Many participants from within the eastern region, other parts of Uganda and Kenya will be at the event. We expect tough competition among the dancers, Djs, beatboxers, vocal percussionist, …
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