Hi!
It’s Hikaru. I am one of the internship students at the Dar es Salaam compound!
I want to introduce one of the music groups that collaborates with Art in Tanzania: Sanaa Sana. They mainly perform overseas, but their main base is Dar es Salaam.
The Sanaa Sana style is “Traditional, yet Original”. Their dances and music combine styles from Tanzanian tribes or other African nations. They actively incorporate new ideas into their art. For example, the band includes both traditional Tanzanian instruments and modern electric guitars. Dancers perform acrobatic choreography, which is not traditional Tanzanian; they implement styles to respond to the demands of the world’s audiences.
Art in Tanzania has various types of projects for intern/ volunteer students; working with Sanaa Sana is one great example., It is an excellent opportunity for students to study about African music. However, this opportunity is not just for them.
“Be original, be unique from others” is an integral part of artists. Sanaa Sana’s style does not stay inside of “traditional” or “African”. Many different characteristics of music can take a role in their performance. Additionally, the killing of media is also needed to promote their activities. Volunteering and interning here offers an excellent chance to practice your skills, share your knowledge, and discover new possibilities.
Sanaa Sana tries to achieve several objectives through its art. Supporting young people to get involved in “art” and promoting “human rights” are their main goals. In Tanzania, schools do not prioritise artistic education. Only “drawing” is recognized as a needed class, says a local Dar es Salam office staff member. Tanzanian children do not have opportunities to develop their other artistic passions, such as singing, playing, dancing, and painting. Members of Sanaa Sana claim that “Nowadays, there is a music major in universities, BUT the quality of lessons is inferior, and there isn’t much that talented students can learn from it.” They believe their success is helping Tanzania recognize the importance and power of art.
“Human rights” is another big topic in Sanaa Sana’s message. Tanzania still needs to spread the general concept of human rights more widely. The rights of women, children, and disabled people are much further behind. In addition, Tanzania is struggling with corruption at all levels. The corrupt government and society are a massive wall for Tanzanian citizens to learn their and others’ rights. Sanaa Sana often handles these concepts to inform other countries about the current situation in Tanzania and to secure grants.
Experiences with art in Tanzania can help you learn more about your field of study, and your knowledge can positively impact local people’s education. Please visit our website for more information on our internship programs, including music/art, human rights, sports, media, business, and other areas.
