Journey to Germany: SOUL SEEDS Craft & Poetry Cafe

Journey to Germany: SOUL SEEDS Craft & Poetry Cafe

It was on June 11, 2015 when I received a letter of Invitation from Voelkerkunde Museum Hamburg Germany to attend the Markt der Völker slated for November 11-15, 2015. 

I had to device a fundraising model for the trip and it was not an easy one because art is loosely regarded yet appreciated in our country. I had to approach government institutions and organizations relevant and conversant with Art, Culture and Tourism but the bureaucracy took long for the responses and had to work a mile further. It was a journey, and still is. I also approached the business community in Kasane, Maun and around Botswana in request for funding but it rendered such efforts futile until I had to utilize the business networks I have to source a portion of the requisite funding as justification for visa application and related procedures thereon.  I finally received a quarter of the budget from Ministry of Youth Sport and Culture in October and some contributions in-kind from Maun and Kasane resident-businesses. Also my former Headmaster Mr. David Tregilgies handed his support in. 

Art indeed needs a Trust fund, or a(n) National Arts Council, mean time, we need to strengthen initiatives such as Chobe Alliance for Arts Organization(CAAO) in cognizance with Botswana Society for the Arts with National Union for Botswana Artists to collectively lobby and or create artistic platforms for arts excellence beyond just the Botswana borders, to fly away far into distant worlds afar, to gather and share the creative seeds for a better world. Art for Change it is.

However, I have managed to fulfill all the legalities and procedures for my travel and I am just resting, waiting to catch the flight from Gaborone to OR Tambo (RSA) on Sunday, arrival in Hamburg on Monday morning November 9, 2015.

My slots on the programme:
- Thursday 12 November, 2015 @19h00: Presentation on Botswana Cultural Diversity through Creative Tourism
- Sunday 15 November, 2015 @16h00: SOUL SEEDS Poetry Reading session

Find me at Stall No 1.

Market of the People

Dialog between cultures is the main focus of the Market of the Peoples. About 70 craftspeople, traders and specialty-dealers acquaint visitors with craft products from all over the world. 

On one hand, the market is a platform for many different traditional crafts threatened or disappearing as a result of modernisation. The market is also a forum for new trends in the field of these crafts. Some examples include the creation of recycled products using tin cans or telephone wire. Countries from which exhibitors have come in the past include Portugal, Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, Indonesia, China, Japan, Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, South Africa, Canada, Argentina and Guatemala.

The world of handmade crafts is changing constantly. The Museum für Völkerkunde follows this process and provides the opportunity for visitors to experience these exciting changes directly. In the Market of the Peoples, manufacturing techniques are put on display in live performances, through film and other media. We value fair trade highly; we find it important that local economies, small family businesses and other projects are purposefully supported. Through this market, the museum also aims to directly support different craftspeople.

The exhibitors are selected according to the quality of their goods and especially by their interest in the dialog with the museum’s visitors. The exhibitors are almost always experts of their cultural regions and the representatives of aid organisations are always interested in explaining the work of their groups.

The Market of the Peoples is also known for its diverse cultural programme. Musicians, singers and folklore groups give performances; for children there is make-up, crafts, painting and a story-telling workshop. The Market is a festival for the whole family. 

Since 2008, each Market of the Peoples has had its own focus. This focus determines the selection of exhibitors and the organisation of the cultural programme. In 2008, the topic was India; in 2009, it was the Indians of North America; in 2010 the topic was Latin America. And 2011 the topic was the Orient.

The Museum's Mission Statement:

We respect all other cultures. We require respect for all other cultures.

Ours is a lively museum, which appeals to all five senses.

We provide a forum for cooperative exchange between people of all cultures.

As a world cultural archive, we collect, preserve and display evidence of all cultures for the purpose of making those cultures accessible.

Our high-quality and unique artefacts make up the indispensable foundation for our entire work.

We provide scientifically substantiated, comprehensible information, which takes into consideration the self-image and unique perspective of each culture.

Our appealing, high-quality and diverse exhibitions and events address many diverse target audiences.

We feel obligated to ensure that our activities remain relevant to and address actual, current issues.

The utilization and development of our resources are important parts of our work.

It is our priority that our visitors feel welcome and have a satisfying experience in the museum.

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I thank Martina Postelt for the courage and networking in support of my creative path.

I intend a Welcome Back Cultural night once back from Germany to thank you all. Keep your eye on the details...

Thanks to:
- my empress Etsuko Nagayama (Japan)
- Martina Postelt
- Nobert Mathumo (Botswana)
- Ilanga Tours & Safaris (Kasane, BW)
- Chris Durand Woba Kele (Reunion Island)
- Poetavango Spoken word collective (Maun, BW)
- Mambo Ntema Fundraising team
- MYSC, BTO, German Embassy
- Clario Travel (Kasane, BW)

Art, Our Journey

The Week that was the Maun International Arts Festival 2015 - Khutsie Kasale - Afrika Bohemian

The Week that was the Maun International Arts Festival 2015

November 5, 2015 by Afrika Bohemian

Maun International art festival has been spoken about quite a lot through the years; from local media, to the participants sharing their experiences, to sponsors, everybody giving their unique voice to this beautiful feast of the arts . So I thought that I should contribute my voice as a member of the audience and as the ordinary customer.

There really is something amazing about week-long festivals; it is the excited artists invading the quite town with their artsy boho looks and energy, it is the excitement that builds up over the course of the week where you get to experience your favorite artists over an extended period of time, it is the connection you get to make with the tribe and the daze of feeling like a groupie following the artists around from one performance to the other. I tell you nothing beats the festival atmosphere or vibe as my little sister likes to call it and she says you do not even have to be interested in art you can come just for the vibe.

It is all about the vibe: Poetry Night at Maun Lodge, Everybody get down

So come I did for the art and for the vibe, on an overnight bus no less because clearly nothing was going to keep me from the festival and I am glad that I came, my journey was not wasted. The event made me feel hopeful about Botswana and the arts, these artists have so much talent and as long as arts and culture have friends in great sponsors such as; the Ministry of youth sports and culture, the American Embassy, Sefalana etc. we are definitely on the right track but the thing about being on the right track is we have to keep moving or we might get run over just sitting there.

The festival which is in its fifth year had a great line up of performers, events and even cool venues the only issue that was worth noting from a customer’s point of view is that it would have been great to have a package deal for travelers wishing to come to Maun solely for the festival, the package could have included accommodation, travel around Maun and a bit of sightseeing.  I would have also welcomed different priced passes or packaged deals to the different events which could have avoided the issue of paying for separate events which became quite pricey at some point especially since I wished to see most of the performances.

This is a great festival that needs participation from Batswana, it is sad that with events that happen at home we are always reluctant to attend due to a lot of reasons one which is worth a mention being that they isn’t enough communication so we are never sure if the activity is targeted towards us. So for 2016 I would really love to see a huge social media communication campaign (social media is free so no costs to the organizers) around the festival to get everybody hyped up and make people feel included in the event, hashtag and all because in my opinion it is about time we made Arts and Culture in Botswana popular culture.

Having said that I say big up to the organizers (these guys really did a great job), to the participants and to the sponsors and of course art lovers such as myself who came to show support let us go boldly into the next one.

Enough yapping, now a little clip from a performance by Mambo the poet at the Poetry night at Maun Lodge…This is from the popular Setswana folk tale of Chiwele if you grew up in Botswana you will definitely remember the story of the stubborn little girl.

Art is my Journey, Our Journey

Art is my Journey, Our Journey

By SOULSEEDS Art Project Correspondent,

November 4, 2015

Maun International Arts Festival V 2015, October 25-November 1.

After a hectic week of creative artistry rendered at the Maun International Arts Festival V 2015 from October 25-November 1, in different localities of the Nhabe region in the cosmopolitan creative tourism town Maun, to showcase the artistic diversity and socio-cultural networking, I really appreciate the cultural exchanges, experiences and artistic networks emanated from MIAF.

The festival organizing team managed to unearth over 50 creative minds and persons from all over the world; South Africa, Reunion Island, Uganda, Nigeria/Canada, USA, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana. The event featured aspiring and renowned voices of Mother nature’s mouthpiece to breathe life into Maun  through Spoken word, Contemporary dance and Music, Theatre, Fashion, Literary arts exhibitions ; Hector Kunene, Ngwao Putswa, Mophato Dance theatre, The Contrabandists, Sereetsi and the Natives, Stiga Sola, Phoenix Baaitse, Leshie Love Song, Mambo Ntema, Juby Peacock, Mista Poke, Bella,  Chief Kunta, Prince Marenga, Rashida Namulondo, Vera, Barbra (Breeze), Maya Roze, JahGee, MmaKgosi, ?oem theAnsa, Dasha Kelly, DeePee, Poetess Phopho, Abra-conscience, One Finite Monkey, October, Chris Woba Kele, Juliet Kego, Charles, and a dozen more.

The week-long MIAF’s activities included Official opening ceremony, inter-School Poetry (art) competitions, Comedy night, Folklore/Traditional Music, Slam Poetry, Hip-Hop battles, Open Mic session, Poetry night, US Corner at the Maun Public library (partnership between Poetavango, US Embassy and Ministry of Youth Sport and Culture), Cultural tours to Sexaxa (cultural) village and motivational visit to BOFWA in Maun.

And Christophe Durand Woba Kélé from Reunion Island is a creatively humbled man that infused traditional instrument (nGoni) with almost every genre. I call him 'Madala'.

Much thanks to Poetavango Spoken Word Poetry collective and its partners for a wonderful MiAF. Poetavango

Chris 'Woba Kele'

 Lakai, Mmasechaba & Mista Tee

Chris (Madala), Mista Tee, Mambo Ntema and Chief Kunta

Matsosangwao Arts Troupe 10-year Anniversary

I am also proud of #Team50 Matsosangwao Arts Troupe for a successful 10-year Anniversary this past weekend (October 30-31, 2015) in Kasane. I am so humbled by the effect and shape of the Chobe Alliance for Arts Organization (CAAO); a social enterprise model that seeks to leverage on artistic sustainable livelihood and socio-economic development and welfare of the creative arts and culture industry.

 Art is Life

I have to now look forward for my journey to Central Europe this coming weekend to attend Markt der Völker event  from November 11, 2015. Market of the Peoples

Market of the People

Dialog between cultures is the main focus of the Market of the Peoples. About 70 craftspeople, traders and specialty-dealers acquaint visitors with craft products from all over the world. On one hand, the market is a platform for many different traditional crafts threatened or disappearing as a result of modernisation. The market is also a forum for new trends in the field of these crafts. Some examples include the creation of recycled products using tin cans or telephone wire. Countries from which exhibitors have come in the past include Portugal, Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, Indonesia, China, Japan, Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, South Africa, Canada, Argentina and Guatemala.

The world of handmade crafts is changing constantly. The Museum für Völkerkunde follows this process and provides the opportunity for visitors to experience these exciting changes directly. In the Market of the Peoples, manufacturing techniques are put on display in live performances, through film and other media. We value fair trade highly; we find it important that local economies, small family businesses and other projects are purposefully supported. Through this market, the museum also aims to directly support different craftspeople.

The exhibitors are selected according to the quality of their goods and especially by their interest in the dialog with the museum’s visitors. The exhibitors are almost always experts of their cultural regions and the representatives of aid organisations are always interested in explaining the work of their groups.

The Market of the Peoples is also known for its diverse cultural programme. Musicians, singers and folklore groups give performances; for children there is make-up, crafts, painting and a story-telling workshop. 

The Market is a festival for the whole family.  Since 2008, each Market of the Peoples has had its own focus. This focus determines the selection of exhibitors and the organisation of the cultural programme.
In 2008, the topic was India; in 2009, it was the Indians of North America; in 2010 the topic was Latin America. And 2011 the topic was the Orient.

Volkerkunde Museum fb

Mambo Ntema SOUL SEEDS Poetry Project Promo

https://www.facebook.com/mambomusicpoetry

www.SOUNDCLOUD.com/opnmambo