By Devaa Ramalingam – Art in Tanzania intern

Music and Arts Programs

The head of the Society said in an interview that he enjoys painting 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 the largest and strongest animals, which is a significant fact. The artists of this village are astonished by the animals’ importance and their natural beauty, and they show them respect. These paintings depict animals, from which these people draw inspiration and want others to derive inspiration. 

These paintings have evolved to the point that youngsters in Society create digital art based on Tinga Tinga and have also developed cartoon series using this art. Tinga Tinga is highly respected among the Tanzanian people as it’s a curriculum in schools. 

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

As many people may know, Africa is a continent rich in fauna, with diverse forests and deserts. It is one of the countries that remains natural, particularly in many parts, unlike most other countries, which are often highly developed. Tin 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 been involved in several altercations. Initially, they were made on boards, but they were later changed to a fabric material as customers found the boards too heavy to carry. In the early stages of the village, they would look at real animals and draw them from imagination. Now, they also employ a modern approach to painting, such as sketching the design first and then painting on top of it.

The head of the Society said in an interview that he enjoys painting 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 the largest and strongest animals, which is a significant fact. The artists of this village are astonished by the animals’ importance and their natural beauty, and they show them respect. These paintings depict animals, from which these people draw inspiration and want others to derive inspiration. 

These paintings have evolved to the point that youngsters in Society create digital art based on Tinga Tinga and have also developed cartoon series using this art. Tinga Tinga is highly respected among the Tanzanian people as it’s a curriculum in schools. 

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. Tinga Tinga arts attract admirers from all over the world and have now become a popular 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 began creating Tinga Tinga art, keeping the art form alive. In 1990, they formed a Tinga Tinga co-operative society. Abdul Amonde Mkura is the senior painter and head of the Society. He moved to Dar es Salaam in 1974 and fell in love with the art as he learnt it. 

As many people may know, Africa is a continent rich in fauna, with diverse forests and deserts. It is one of the countries that remains natural, particularly in many parts, unlike most other countries, which are often highly developed. Tin 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 been involved in several altercations. Initially, they were made on boards, but they were later changed to a fabric material as customers found the boards too heavy to carry. In the early stages of the village, they would look at real animals and draw them from imagination. Now, they also employ a modern approach to painting, such as sketching the design first and then painting on top of it.

The head of the Society said in an interview that he enjoys painting 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 the largest and strongest animals, which is a significant fact. The artists of this village are astonished by the animals’ importance and their natural beauty, and they show them respect. These paintings depict animals, from which these people draw inspiration and want others to derive inspiration. 

These paintings have evolved to the point that youngsters in Society create digital art based on Tinga Tinga and have also developed cartoon series using this art. Tinga Tinga is highly respected among the Tanzanian people as it’s a curriculum in schools.