Soma's Michungwani Street Library Dar celebrates 1 year

By Sanaa & Culture

Among the keen kids of Michungwani Street Library
enjoying the Chap Chap fine art lesson

Soma Book Café, a readership and learning agency from E&D publishers in Dar es Salaam a year ago embarked to start a (Michungwani Street Library-MSL) library with children. With no building in essence it's a street library involving young children from the ages of 6 on to early teens meeting every Friday and Sunday under Soma’s supervision.

Ms Demere Kitunga (last right) Mkurugenzi. Soma akihojiwa
na mwandishi mwingine juu ya shughuli
hii ya kushereheka mwaka mmoja kwa MSL

Here upon being given books by Soma (mostly in Kiswahili) they choose which to read for the day. Then later in reviewing the book work to procure art activities around the story, be it song composition and delivery, poetry performances or fine art depicts.

The group meets close to the vicinity of Soma Headquarters in Dar es Salaam at Michungwani Street by Mikocheni ‘A’ primary school. Thus the load of its members is kids from the primary school with others from the neighborhood close by.

On the 27^th Sept ’14 the group which began with 32 registered kids was to celebrate one year since their enrollment with Soma street library. “We wanted to expose the kids to other delights in the art world that will continue to nurture their imagination fueling their curiosity ensuring they continue to read…” SOMA’s Director Ms Demere Kitunga.

Halima Mashaka toka Michungwani
Street Library akitupa hadithi ya
 'Katope' kwa mbwe mbwe na ndirimo

The celebration took a regular event from the art center ‘Nafasi Artspace’ which every month hosts their ‘chap chap’ sessions. That involves fine artists working with children on mini art projects as well a showcase of performing art.

So ‘chap chap’ was joining hands with Michungwani street library to celebrate art; starting at 4pm on this Saturday evening. The venue was the football grounds of Mikocheni ‘A’ primary school with permission from the school. Already kids were under one tent ruffling the feathers of the present fine artists on the scene including ‘Vita Malulu’ and ‘Lutengano Mwakisopile’. Who were there to guide them in making a portrait on mini brown paper bags.

It was quite heartwarming to see these kids who you could tell; by their reverence of the materials in front of them (they were quite careful not to mess things up). That this was a treat they cherished and don’t get to do often.

Leo Mkanyia (with lead guitar) at the celebration
of one year for Michungwani Street LIbrary of Soma

A fact well observed when you looked at how the regular kids of ‘chap chap’ present (many of which are expatriate off springs) were carefree ready to make a mess or not trusting the result will follow the freedom of allowing themselves to be. “It’s times like this when I love my job; working with these kids is a real highlight…” Jan Van Esch, current director of Nafasi Artspace.

Before long the performances on stage began and today as ‘chap chap’ was with Soma. This began with a few performances from the kids of Michungwani street library. First we had few kids in line walking in choreographed step whilst singing then reciting a welcoming poem (ngonjera).

Dogdogo Center Ngoma troupe performing
for Michungwani Street Library 1 yr annivesary

We then heard a folklore recited by the group with lead orator being Halima Mashaka she gave a beautiful theatrical recite. Relaying the story of ‘katope’ which here was given a few twists in plot and acted out as a semi play, this was great save for the live soundtrack coming from the school band. 

They could well do with some proper percussion lessons, starting with getting some real Tanzanian drums instead of the March band European counterparts they were using. Ofcourse this is a witness to our failing education curriculum which negates art lessons in it’s primary level teaching.So indeed it was a good thing the events that followed on the stage, gave the children of Mikocheni ‘A’ primary school a peek into various real delights of art.  

Bendi yetu ya Mikocheni A ikijaribu na dhana zake
hafifu kuwabeba wenzao waliokuwa wakighani jukwaani

First up we had Umoja Flying Carpet-TZ, a group of young Tanzanian artists brought together by Scandinavian countries. They gave a scintillating performance which included dance with talented upcoming dancer ‘Ally Mzuri’ and music with varied instruments including the canon and violin.

We as well had a traditional dance from ‘Dogodogo center’ it was a delight to see them dance a traditional ‘ngoma’ from Tanzania (a seeming rarity in professional dancers from Dar es Salaam).

We also heard two music giants in afro fusion from Tanzania them being Vitali Maembe and Leo Mkanyia getting the crowd wild. It was a real treat Leo ended up playing the harmonica and we were just lost. Vitali while getting you lost in his music as well got you thinking with those thought provoking lyrics of his. I am sure the kids of Michungwani will never forget this night thanks to Soma and Nafasi…