Ngoma dancing for the Ambassador

4th of August around 15 excited voices fill the house of the Dutch Ambassador in Dar es Salam. Chatting in Swahili, Dutch and English Tanzanian girls help their Dtuch friends to dress in the traditional Tanzanian outfit, the costumes for the Ngoma dance that will be performed tonight. Outside, in the exotic garden, 15 other boys and girls gather and prepare to play the drums. The melting pot of colors, languages and tastes makes the evening energetic.

The Ambassador had invited all participants to join him at his residence after the inspiring workshop earlier that day. The result was a daladala full of singing and laughing youth in their best clothes, arriving in Msasani just on time. They were all more then ready to finally perform the ngoma dance for their host and his wife and the other guests. As a way of showing appreciation the singing is extra loud and the dancing is great.

Renske Bakker, participant