Wednesday 4 November 2015

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.





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.



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