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Growing up in Tanzania, almost every child our age would look forward to a storytelling session which was traditionally narrated by an elder, usually a grandparent. We remember these moments as a special moment to bond with either our siblings/ relatives around an open fire, under a huge mango tree, in an aromatic kitchen, or in a family room. Presently, most families barely find time to enjoy the simple joys of telling and listening to African folktales – we realized that there was more we could! Hapo zamani za kale initiative aims to preserve, restore and promote the culture and art of traditional storytelling and stories in Tanzania.
To many, traditional African folkores served as a fundamental bridge for knowledge and transfer of key life lessons and wisdom from one generation to another. Through Hapo Zamani za Kale, we work with indigineous communities, local governments, artists and youth to collectively preserve, restore and promote the culture, art and tradition of storytelling.
Hapo Zamani za Kale was co-founded by Elizabeth Mwambulukutu and Annastazia Nyakahoza Gura: two communication professionals with a passion for creativity, arts and culture.
Hapo Zamani za Kale is central to who we are, our past, present and future.
Hapo Zamani za Kale is a Kiswahili text that translates “Once Upon a Time”. The text is usually used to depict an opening or the beginning of a story during a storytelling session in Tanzania. Though various communities have their own unique style of beginning a story, by far this is the commonest. This is what inspired us; to create a feeling of familiarity, tap into long lost memories and a sense of togetherness and belonging when one hears the words hapo zamani za kale!
An example of a storytelling session would go something like this:
Storyteller: Hadithi, hadithi?
Listeners: Hadithi njoo, uongo njoo, utamu kolea.
Storyteller: Hapo zamani za kale,
Listeners: Eeh!
Storyteller: Palikuwa na Sungura na Fisi...
To preserve, restore and promote the culture and art of traditional storytelling and African stories in Tanzania.
Driving local cultural preservation solutions through traditional and modern storytelling methods.
