Nitakujengea Kinyumba na Vikuta vya Kupitia: A Home for You I Will Create, with Exit Pathways

By Rehema Chachage 

“Nitakujengea Kinyumba na Vikuta vya Kupitia,” weaves personal narratives, historical reflections, and artistic expressions together to delve into the complex tapestry of home and belonging. At its core, the project is an exploration of displacement, identity and repair. 

The project began with a visceral reflection on the artist’s sense of displacement, encapsulated in a persistent ‘gut feeling.’ This emotional anchor serves as a gateway to exploring broader themes of migration and exile, prompting contemplation on the intertwining of personal and historical narratives. The artist draws parallels with Nankondo, a matrilineal ancestress who faced involuntary displacement to Zanzibar, initiating a poignant dialogue with history.

Central to the project is an inquiry into the traditional concept of ‘home.’ It challenges preconceived notions and prompts participants to reconsider their physical, emotional, and territorial connections to the idea of home. The fluid yet stable nature of this exploration is encapsulated in the project’s title, promising to create a home with exit pathways.

Bagamoyo, an ancient Swahili coastal town, becomes a pivotal setting for the project. Inherited land from the artist’s late father in Bagamoyo serves as a canvas for collaborative building processes. Childhood memories of mud play and architectural traditions passed through generations inspire a communal encounter with the act of building. The town, once a significant trading port, metaphorically connects exit pathways for those who departed and those who arrived.

The project takes creative strides to contribute to the understanding and re-membering of knowledge systems dismembered throughout history. Workshops unfold over five weeks, each dedicated to exploring different facets of the overarching objective. The process becomes a vehicle for intergenerational encounters, reactivating and reimagining knowledge systems through community building.

Culminating in a public program, the project unfolds into a diverse array of activities, performances, and artistic interventions. Intergenerational matriarchs, acclaimed figures, and artists contribute to storytelling hubs, artistic interventions, and live radio productions. The public program becomes a manifestation of the rich tapestry woven throughout the project, presenting a living narrative of shared experiences.

Reflections within the project delve into the philosophical underpinnings, exploring the meaning of creating with inherited knowledge, the significance of earth/soil as a medium for remembering, and the metaphorical aspects of building structures with ‘exit pathways.’ The reflections emphasize an ongoing commitment to creation and care, transcending fixed endpoints.

The project’s exploration extends to the formation of villages, highlighting interconnectedness and communal wisdom. Clanships become the foundation for village formation, preserving cultural heritage through tangible forms and practices like burying umbilical cords. This deepens the understanding of a collective continuum across generations.

An intriguing aspect unfolds in the ritual of ‘pausing the sky,’ a delicate negotiation between humanity and nature to create harmony. This practice, deeply rooted in indigenous traditions, signifies a unique collaboration between people and the elements, creating room for communal events amidst the natural order.