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The khanga, a ubiquitous fabric in East Africa, emerged relatively recently in the mid-19th century. Its origins are rooted in the long-standing interactions between the East African coast and the wider Indian Ocean world, predating colonial influence. This maritime trade network provided the foundation for its arrival and subsequent integration into the region.
Over the past century, the khanga has become central to East African life, embodying social, political, and economic narratives. It marks births, celebrates weddings, and facilitates communication through inscribed messages – initially in Arabic, later in Roman script. These inscriptions, ranging from personal sentiments to political statements, foster connection and solidarity.
This project, featuring individuals styled in diverse ways with the khanga, invites reflection on this significant fabric. The images evoke personal memories of the khanga's integral role in countless life moments. During the photoshoot at Nafasi Art Space in 2019, participants freely interpreted and wore the khanga, injecting their unique experiences and creativity into the process. This highlights the khanga's versatility and its ability to adapt to individual needs within social contexts. The fabric reflects its wearers, making them essential to the visual narrative.
This project, featuring individuals styled in diverse ways with the khanga, invites reflection on this significant fabric. The images evoke personal memories of the khanga's integral role in countless life moments. During the photoshoot at Nafasi Art Space in 2019, participants freely interpreted and wore the khanga, injecting their unique experiences and creativity into the process. This highlights the khanga's versatility and its ability to adapt to individual needs within social contexts. The fabric reflects its wearers, making them essential to the visual narrative.
At Nafasi Art Space in 2019, the public actively contributed to the project. They wrote sayings, proverbs, and poetry, and engaged with drawn khanga patterns through coloring and creating their own designs. This participatory approach was central to the project's concept. The khanga's evolution over the past century has been shaped by the needs, desires, and politics of its people. Therefore, a comprehensive reflection on its role and potential necessitates the inclusion of these diverse voices. Each participant's contribution adds a personal story to the project, creating a collective vision of this fabric that has been and will likely continue to be an integral part of their lives, from birth to their final journey.
The project ultimately aims to capture the underlying stories, beauty, and imagination surrounding this fabric. The khanga serves as a canvas reflecting East African history, present experiences, a fascination with language, and the human desire to contribute and personalize this enduring cultural artifact.
ChapChap are a series of meetups organized by Nafasi Art Space whereby members of the public gets to meet and engage with artist from the space. In this 2019 PichaTime was invited to curate part of the meetup under a theme of Inheritance. Ans did focus on Khanga Inheritance.
Khanga: A presentaition by Diana Kamara
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