Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa turned into a hive of fun as it hosted the yearly free-of-charge Tumaini Festival, led by Tumaini Letu, pulling colossal audiences on Friday and Saturday.
Tumaini, which means hope in Swahili, now in its ninth edition, kicked off on Thursday with workshops in creative, poetry and visual arts before getting down to performances in its spaces of Kwizera, a smaller stage mounted deep inside the camp, and the main stage of Elikva which was near the entrance.
Kwizera and Elikva reigned with music performances, with dance also getting a share, whereas poetry, theatre, traditional dances and visual art found a home in poetry corner, theatre corner, cultural ground and arts arena, respectively.
This accentuated the inclusivity of the different art forms at the festival, the only one in the country that takes place at a refugee camp.
The festival, whose founder is artist Menes la Plume, lived up to its billing although there were delays in keeping time and gaps in some instants.
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On Friday some of the top acts that starred included Skeffa Chimoto and Real Sounds Band, Eli Njuchi and Code Sangala.
Just like on Friday, when scores of people from as far as Lumbadzi and Lilongwe city, on Saturday the audience enjoyed music, poetry, theatre, traditional dances and visual arts.
On the cultural ground, Chingalire Cultural Troupe, Dzaleka Acrobats and Amahoro Drummers were some of, the notable acts whereas at the theatre corner, Chancellor College Travelling Theatre, Destination Talents and Rise Arts starred but it was Tamba Africa through their Caravan of Hope act, a membership of Malawian and Zimbabwean crew, that won the hearts of many people as it presented a combo of among others, contortionism, dance and music as a vital tool for therapy.
At the poetry corner, poetry lovers were treated to poetries from, among others, PPJJ, Blessed Ritchie, Beatus Msamange and Mangala Lord Strider Babirwa from South Africa, who was debuting at the festival.
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Kwizera stage also provided fun, with artists from Dzaleka dominating the proceedings with reggae group Wailing Brothers also performing.
However, it was the Elikva stage which dictated the day’s acts with performances coming from, among others, Maggie Kadrum, Suffix, DJ Bubblegum, Forus Dance Crew, Cornelly King of Rumba and Peter Mawanga, with Kamuzu Barracks, Tay Grin and Amapiano star Zeze Kingston, who was the people’s favourite, performing late on.
Mawanga, who has performed in a number of festivals in and outside the country, returned to the stage after a long absence and reminded people of his exploits when on his itinerary he served the track ‘Amakhala ku Blantyre’.
“This is an announcement that I am back and you should look out for more performances,” the singer and guitarist said.
Tay Grin, better known as Nyau King, did not perform with his usual cast that includes Gule Wamkulu but he still managed to keep the stage lively before Zeze Kingston took over.
The artist, who had just returned from South Africa, was the toast as his slogan of “Tiyeni!Tiyeni!” and “Zeze We Wanna Party” resonated well with the audience and in his short act, which came in the early hours of yesterday, he dished out a number of his songs that people sang along including his latest ‘Kusangalala’ before paving the way for DJ Mighty Virus.
“I am short of words for the support,” he said.
Menes la Plume described the ninth edition as special and that it was meant to restore hope and to reunify refugees.
“We are thankful to all the artists who showed up; we are looking forward to the 10th edition,” he said.
