'/ :KDW LQVSLUHG \RX JX\V WR HQJDJH LQ *UDIÂżWL painting? Singa- As a group we are more inspired with our surrounding because even the work we do is more based on things that are within our societies “I can’t say we are inspired by western tradition because our surrounding speaks to us and inspires us to paint what we paintâ€? said Singa
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Wachata Crew (WCT) is a crew of street artists based in Dar Es Salaam who focus on visual and performing arts such DV JUDIÂżWL SDLQWLQJ LQWHULRU DUW GHVLJQLQJ DQG +LS +RS performances. WCT was established in 2007 through Words and Pictures (WAPI), a monthly open mic event that was sponsored by British Council in Dar Es Salaam
'/ :KLFK PHVVDJH GR \RX SDVV RQ RXU JUDIÂżWL DUW DQG where do you do it? 0HG\ $V ZH VDLG ZH DUH LQĂ€XHQFHG E\ RXU VXUURXQGLQJ VR we focus on effects of drug abuse, gender, emancipation of thoughts, justice and even talk about prominent people who have passed out so that their works and deeds can be remembered, we spray paint more on open spaces since we need to connect with the society members to reach the intended message. '/ *LYH XV D VKRUW VWRU\ DERXW \RXU ÂżUVW H[KLELWLRQ 6LQJD DQG 0HG\ RXU ÂżUVW H[KLELWLRQ ZDV DW 1DIDVL DUW VSDFH LW was on the 30th September 2014 that was sponsored by Nafasi DUW VSDFH ZKHUH LW ZDV DIWHU D ORQJ VWUXJJOH RI RIÂżFLDWLQJ WACHATA because after forming the group we did not have headquarters rather we would meet normally at places and discuss things. Later on we had our own class in Makutano house oyster bay before it was not our place no more where ZH WDXJKW FKLOGUHQ DERXW JUDIÂżWL DUW EXW DIWHU WKDW ZH FDPH WR Nafasi Art Space and we are here until today DL- What inspires you most to do your art and what are your roles as artists to the society? Medy- we do this out of love because if one loves something that much they will always do it and when it comes to our UROHV DV DUWLVWV ZH HGXFDWH HQWHUWDLQ DQG LQĂ€XHQFH WKH VRFLHW\ E\ XVLQJ DUW WKXV JUDIÂżWL
24 I Dar Life I June 2018
All Picture Courtesy of George Rodgers
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DL- When exactly did you begin doing it? Singa- It all begun in 2007 where the cultural sector under British council organized the WAPI concert and featured more than 20 people at the beginning where due to life and short comings we are only four members to date Kala Singa, Local, Medy, and Mejah who fought hard to ensure WACHATA doesn’t fall
By George Rodgers
Wachata Graffiti Artists
'/ )RU KRZ ORQJ KDYH \RX EHHQ LQ JUDIÂżWL SDLQWLQJ" Medy- We have 11 years working together and it all begun years ago in words and pictures (WAPI) concert that was initiated by the British council that collected various forms RI DUW DQG JUDIÂżWL ZDV DPRQJ WKH DUWV ZKHUH D VSDFH RI DERXW PHWUHV ZDV VSDUHG IRU JUDIÂżWL DUWV