A work of heart

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Have you wanted a self portrait of yourself or a loved one but just never had the money to get one done? Well, now you can get one, at an affordable rate of course, what is so great about this is that while you do that, you would at one time, be funding building projects in Kenya AND helping upcoming artists in Toronto. Worldwide appeal? We think so!

Sing A song of Calm

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   The first thing often thought of whenever African Music is brought up is fast paced intense drumming. Although we appreciate the power and energy that comes from the drum, we can also appreciate the soothing sounds of other African Instruments.

A Canopy fit for fish and ugali!

Naivasha,Kenya

A view of  Lake Naivasha


We recently took a short trip to Naivasha, Kenya. It is a scenic town just under two hours drive outside Nairobi and lies right within the beauty of the Great Rift Valley. Its best feature is by far the beautiful lake Naivasha (pictured above). We had the opportunity of enjoying such a glorious view from our cozy little getaway cottage.

Happy-tude

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"If you don't like something, change it.

If you can't change it, change your attitude. "

                                                                              Maya Angelou

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Friends of Niafourang!

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What would you describe as truly inspirational architecture? Something that’s never been seen before, or something that adheres to classical trends? The use of newly engineered material, or maybe the employment of high-tech machinery? For us,  this crucial question was answered by the inspiring works of project Niafourang youth centre.

The politics of an Art

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Over the past few weeks there has been some controversy in Nairobi surrounding a group of young Kenyan graffiti artists. The said youth have been tagging Nairobi street walls with powerfully scripted murals of political undertones.

El Anatsui

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The first time we looked at this work , we must admit we weren't too sure of what we were actually witnessing.

Give a man a fish...

Image courtesy of agurtxaneconcellon.com

"Give a man a fish and you feed him for the day,

Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

                                                                                                               Chinese proverb

StreetWires

Southern African Beaded work

Rags FOR Bags!!

Fashion. LOVE, Africa

We came across ecouterre.com, a wonderful environmentally aware fashion website. While going through it we found this touching story on how a designer Ryan Clements helped to alleviate the lives of residents of Giota Garbage Slum in Nakuru Kenya after witnessing the poor and destitute living conditions. Clement uses the handiwork of the women he met in the slums to create his lovely line of tote bags - Fashion. Love, Africa by recycling plastic bags.
Check them out:

http://www.ecouterre.com

Architopic:

Kenya Women’s and Children’s Wellness Centre.

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We are finally putting African  architecture on the map! We specifically start with some work from Kenya.   KWCWC (Kenya Women’s and Children’s Wellness Centre) together with architects Perkins+Will, USA/ Triad Architects, are coming forward with a state of the arts healthcare facility that provides an array of other wellness facilities that bridge our local, tradition and Global medicinal needs.

Destination: The Aberdares Kenya

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 Deep inside the Aberdare Forest in Kenya, in sight of the glorious Mount Kenya, lies the Treetops Hotel. This unique lodge was literally built into the tops of the trees of Aberdare National Park as a tree house, offering the guests a close view of the local wildlife in complete safety.

Look Familiar?

Check these out:

woodabe woman, pin up bangs

janelle monae

SHUJAAZ.FM, Emmy nomination

YES! African Artists making Strides!

 

    Images courtesy of shujaaz.fm

 Shujaaz ( meaning Heroes in Swahili ) FM is a kenyan centered comic that explores urban youth culture and lifestyle in Nairobi, Kenya. The comic, which is almost fully done in sheng, (Kenyan street slang that merges Swahili and English) focuses on encouraging community development through creating by encouraging Kenyan youth to improve their lives through reinforcing constructive and positive thinking. 

    Shujaaz FM started out as comic in 2010 and has since grown to include daily radio programmes in 21 stations countrywide! As if this is not amazing enough, the comic has recently been nominated for an Emmy award! 

My African City

 We came across this beautiful montage series of photographs from Various African cities from this tumblr page. Any of these look familiar to you? 

Where the water meets the sky

"Where the water meets the sky" is a story documenting a group of women in Rural Zambia using film to make a difference in their community.

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ARTS AND BEER

March 10th to 11th 2012 

Ngong Racecourse Nairobi Kenya

Photography courtesy of Cindy Okello.

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Sexual Sabar

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We are taking it westward to Senegal, a country renown for its rich Culture, visible in its sights, sounds, smells, and best of all, its music and dance.
 Senegal, the land of the baobab tree, whose wood makes the Sabar drum. The Sabar is played with a stick and a free hand, producing a fast paced, high pitched sound. When listening to Mbalax, (pronounced Mbala)  Senegalese national dance music,  one cannot miss the shrill drumming of the Sabar. The drumming was typically accompanied by Sabar dancing.  While there were and still are many occasions to which both men and women performed the Sabar, this post will focus on the Sexuality behind the dance.

“If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door” ― Milton Berle

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                     GRADUATES,
 do you know that feeling you get a few weeks after graduation , the novelty of having completed your degree is gradually fading away and all you have left is a degree in one hand and a resume in the other?

Nairobi Night lights

KARIBU!

Welcome to our blog! We are KIAFRIKA, an online magazine that explores African Arts and Culture from around the continent. Kiafrika is a direct Swahili translation meaning  "of Africa". As proud young Africans, we are ready to tackle the development of our beautiful continent through Art. Through this medium we will promote young African talent and Culture and through this make way for community development efforts through the Arts. We are counting down to launching our first features on our website www.kiafrika.net. Until then we will douse you in All things Art in prelude for what is soon to come! ITS A REVOLUTION!