Contemporary dancers 'Haba na Haba' inside National Museum TZ

By Sanaa & Culture

Members of 'Art against poverty performing their
act 'doctor clown' at the national museum recently

The National Museum since its renovation and launch of the same by the president of the Republic of Tanzania Dr Jakaya M. Kikwete in 2011, has seen few local artist productions in its theater wing. As the space is sublet to the public at around 2 million TSHS per show, many local artists have found this too steep a price. Hence the venue being sublet to foreign artists as well the public for conference & gathering purposes.

This is tilted to change following the performance by Haba na Haba a contemporary dance training program. All of five years now giving annual month long contemporary dance workshops from acclaimed choreographers to willing dancers from in Tanzania. The dancers then perform several pieces in front of the public to showcase what they’ve learnt. 

Dancers of Haba na Haba 2015 group performing
'Dark Swan' from choreographer Nora Chipaumire

“We’re looking to encourage local artists to showcase their works more often at the museum; we have a theater as well a state of the art studio. We’re aware that many artists think these facilities are expensive however if you compare us to other outlets with similar facilities you’ll note our services are more affordable. 

Nonetheless following the Swedish Embassy’s small grant we’re now partnering with local artists to showcase productions sans hire fees.” -National Museum’s sound engineer Sixmund Begashe.

It was on the 28^th of May at the National Museum theater in Dar es Salaam around 8 pm that the first act for the night got on stage. With a piece titled ‘Doctor Clown Tanzania’ featuring dancers in doctor/clown outfits. That’s right they looked to be wearing clown regalia in rather fashionable ensemble’s coupled with medical lab coats.

The piece 'Maumivu' by Haba na Haba 2015 group

The piece went on to demonstrate a car accident which leaves the driver injured; at the hospital nothing seems to cure him until the medicine ‘humor’ is prescribed. The piece did well in costume and relaying of story line; however in dance it lacked showmanship then again. 

This piece was the only piece of the night not performed by the group of students from ‘Haba na Haba 2015’. The piece is from a group called ‘art against poverty’ sponsored by the European Union cultural project CEFA as well Vipaji Foundation. The group performs doctor clowns skits in Muhimbili and CCBRT hospital implementing the power of laughter to the patients therein.

The second piece titled ‘knock knock’ choreographed by Robert Ngoroma stripped the veil for contemporary dance for the night. With four dancers including two girls Dezanda Damas & Aziza Idd as well the male dancers Thomas Justine & Lwitiko Mwambebule. Giving a tale that left the character played by Aziza shunning her mates as they try tentatively to reach her and she in turn intimidates them away. The piece which demonstrates leadership at the village strata was well depicted particularly Thomas gave a good demonstration of straight line and balance.

We then saw a piece titled ‘Dark Swan’ this piece choreographed by Nora Chipaumire Blurb native of Zimbabwe. Is inspired by Anna Pavlova and the many ballerinas who have performed the ‘dying swan’ it takes an African twist in contemporary ballet. The four boys who performed this gave a good rendition. With black plastic bags garbed as tutus around their waist it was very well done in dance technique. However this could have been improved if the dancers totally owned the story line of the piece you got the sense they hadn’t unraveled the basics of ballet of which this piece is based.

A teaser of the act 'Sauti Yetu' performed
 by members of Haba na Haba 2015  

We also saw a piece titled ‘Maumivu’ in tale it was pretty simple, taking from the literal meaning ‘pain’. The dancers gave a great performance of this piece certainly there was more ownership from the dancers. Coming off as contemporary street dance, the audience were cheering loudly and the physical exertion could well be seen from the sweat born of the dancers.

From right Isack peter (Choreographer and one
of the organisers of Haba na Haba; Adelaide Sallema
(Senior Curator at the National Museum
and Dezanda Damas one of the two female dancers
 in the Haba na Haba group of 2015 receiving her certificate. 

The last piece of the night garbed as a teaser for an upcoming show at the same theatre titled ‘Sauti Yetu’ on the 12^th of June. With props that included two chairs and tables the piece has a live band on stage giving the soundtrack. Judging from the teaser it will be a show worth going to. The dancers again have ownership of this tale which goes to depict leaders in scramble for the top seat, fitting in theme with the upcoming presidential elections in the country.

Speaking with one of the only two female dancers that were recruited for this year’s Haba na Haba dancers, Dezanda Damas. “Previously I only danced street dance which is touches of hip hop and afro pop, this was my first time going for contemporary dance. I’ve learned a lot in the way of expressing myself more on the dance floor…”

All the dancers gained certificates handed in the middle of this performance; this for completing the month long workshop of Haba na Haba. Spearheaded by award winning choreographer Nora Chipaumire from Zimbabwe and Robert Ngoroma a dance teacher at TASUBA ‘Bagamoyo College of Arts’. 

--Also Published in the EA newspaper---