introduction to the colourful TINGA TINGA Art in Tanzania

By Devaa Ramalingam – Art in Tanzania intern

Music and Arts Programs

Tinga Tinga Art is considered to have historical value. It is named after Edward Said Tingatinga, who copied and reinvented the art in 1968. Back then, he used Masonite and bicycle paint to make the art. This attracted admirers from all over the world, and it has now become a tourist attraction in Tanzania.

Tinga Tinga art is now being made in a village in Dar es Salaam. After Edward Tingatinga’s demise in 1972, imitators started making Tinga Tinga art and kept the art alive. In 1990, they formed a Tinga Tinga co-operative society. Abdul Amonde Mkura is the senior painter and head of this society. He moved to Dar es Salaam in 1974 and fell in love with the art as he learnt it. 

As many people might know, Africa is a country rich in fauna, with many forests and desserts. It is one of the countries that is still 100% natural in many parts, unlike all the other countries that are artificial and man-made. Tinga Tinga art is renowned for its surrealistic and native style. There are many admirers and collectors of this art. 

Tinga Tinga paintings are all about imagination. Over the years, these paintings have had a number of altercations. Initially, they were done on boards, but they were changed to fabric material as customers found the boards heavy to carry. In the early stages of the village, they used to look at animals in real life and draw them from imagination. Now, they also use the modern way of painting, like sketching them first and then painting on them.

The head of the Society said in an interview that he likes to paint about various subjects from his village and his past life experiences. But his all-time favourite is drawing elephants. He has painted elephants for over 20 years. He believes that elephants are bigger and stronger than any other animal, which is significant. The artists of this village are astonished by the animals’ importance and nature, and they respect them. These paintings are of animals, from which these people get inspiration and want others to get it. 

These paintings have evolved to the point that the youngsters of this society make digital art based on Tinga Tinga and have also created cartoon series with this art. Tinga Tinga is highly respected among the Tanzanian people as it’s a curriculum in schools.