Art, Fabric, and Tanzania Culture - by Sarah Griffith

    Previously, we had stopped in the markets to go to the fabric stores. These iconic locations offer a variety of colorful fabrics sold for Tanzanians to have clothing and household items made at a local tailor. The fabrics are unlike anything in the States; their vivid, bright colors and integral patterns are iconic in Africa. The fabrics range in various thicknesses; some are coated in light wax; our group purchased material for multiple purposes. Some for clothing, like dresses and shirts, and some for tablecloths, linens, napkins, and bags. It’s a unique experience, as most of us are only familiar with big box fabric stores with generic, single-color, and print designs.

Today, we took our fabrics to a tailor to support the local economy and bring home distinctive gifts from our voyage. This outing to the tailor was such a fantastic experience, as we soon learned that they could also make custom suits, which, as future attorneys, many of us need. Individually, we took turns visiting with the tailor, discussing with them what we wanted to be made, getting fitted, and chatting about their ideas of how the fabric would work best for our creative ideas. The suits were such a bonus for us as we weren’t expecting to be able to get that done. Professor Buske knew the tailor because his wife, Winnie, is the attorney for the non-governmental organization (NGO) Inherit Your Rights. The tailor's shop was in a neighborhood we otherwise wouldn’t have been in, that most “tourists” wouldn’t go to, and it was great to interact with individuals we otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to meet.

We then headed to the Arusha Cultural Heritage Center. The center hosts a museum that displays past artifacts from the tribes of Tanzania. The museum building boasts the most extensive collection of African art. The museum has an incredible collection of art from all over Africa, not only paintings and photographs but artifacts like weapons, food storage, voodoo dolls, wood carvings, colonial pieces, and animal replicas made of iron. There is an astonishing collection of African masks, which show a fantastic insight into African culture. African communities are well known for their craftwork, and masks are considered a specialty craft. Every typical African ceremony had to have a mask, and the masks were displayed with information about the tribe and the ceremony used. Different ceremonies had different masks. Depending on who wore the mask and what it was used for determining what it was made of, the materials included everything from paper, metals, bones, shells, beads, cloth material, animal skins, and even human hair. The one that intrigued me the most was the label Curse Mask. This mask was used when an individual knew they would pass away in the near future, and they would cut off their dreadlocks and then attach them to the mask to ward off evil spirits. This mask was exciting and terrifying, but I’m a fan of horror movies, so maybe that’s why I was drawn to it. There was also a bronze mask from Nigeria, with a large face and multiple faces coming off of it like serpents. This mask looked like it would be used to ward off evil spirits. However, it was to show how beautiful women from Nigeria were, and it was enormous because being “fat” was a sign of how healthy taken care of the people were. The serpents represent power and convey protection to the community. The sheer volume and variety of masks, where they came from, and what they were used for was more than one person could take in on a single day, and I sincerely hope that I get the chance to come back and view them again.

Additionally, there was a display of musical instruments that were artifacts but could still be played and sounded like bass guitars. They were 8 feet tall, styled like older men, and hunched over. Their bellies were where the strings were, and I couldn’t believe they could still be played and sounded so good. The instruments were works of art, yet still practical and genuinely unique.

I was out of time, but the guide had to show me one last thing: the African Mona Lisa. An established African artist did this incredible oil painting of two lions. The African Mona Lisa is called because the lioness's eyes follow you wherever you walk. I tested this theory and walked back and forth in front of the painting. Sure enough, her eyes tracked me, and I thought, this must be what gazelles feel like.

            We left the museum and drove to the Amani house for street children. This was an extension of the program that was established in Moshi. The building was constructed as a shelter for street children who needed rescue, and the program consisted of two prongs. The first is to help the children found on the street; social workers go out at night, talk to them, and try to get them to come to the shelter to give them protection, food, clothing, and safety. They work with the kids to identify why they left home and work to connect the kids back to the family; the children range in age from 6-17. The second part of the program is for girls who have been sexually assaulted or abused and need a location to stay before their case comes before the court. Amani works with these girls, giving them counseling and social workers to help them through their cases. They provide them with a place to stay as the community ostracizes them after the assault.

Additionally, many of the girls have been assaulted by family members and, therefore, don’t have a safe place to go. Sadly, the director told us that most of the cases never go to trial because the families try to work it out with themselves, and many times come to take the girls away before the case is taken to court. As if being assaulted isn’t horrible enough, if the girls end up pregnant, they aren’t allowed to go back to school and are left with little to no options for supporting themselves. Amani helps them by teaching them trades, such as being a seamstress, allowing them to support themselves. Overall, Amani gives these children the help they so desperately need.

            When we arrive, the children are playing soccer in the courtyard, and you can immediately tell they are happy and safe. The director tells us about the programs, and the children are eventually asked to come inside so that we can meet them. They sit in rows and act as all children do; some are shy and hide their faces, and some are smiling, staring at us curiously. They tell us their ages and what they want to be when they grow up. They are adorable and say things like being president, doctor, teacher, and pilot. Then they want to sing for us, and their little personalities shine. The obvious theater kids lead the group, as the shy ones stick to the back, trying not to be noticed. It's James' birthday today, and they sing happy birthday in both English and Swahili; then they even give him a gift of a bag full of lollipops, which he shares with the children, winning them over one by one. It’s easy to see that these children are cared for and loved, and it gives me hope that programs like these exist for them. I’m thankful for the time the director spends with us, allowing us to interact with the kids. We tour the facility and learn about their day-to-day lives, how they are expected to contribute with chores, where they go to school, and how the adults ensure that each and every one of them is cared for.

            Overall, it’s been a fantastic day. I’m grateful for the opportunity to experience Africa, learn about its history, and see where the country is headed. I can’t help but think about how children are the same no matter where you go. They are all so innocent and sweet. They need love and care and adults who know how precious they are.