From Malawi to the Great Lake

Imagine, four different countries with different cultural values and backgrounds all under one roof celebrating the richness of their cultures.

Malawi, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) cultures will on July 20 come face to face at the Sanctuary Lodge in Lilongwe for what it promises to be a rare event called Colours from the Great Lake, bringing together a show of such magnitude.

“Colours from the Great Lake is a concept of putting together cultures from different countries. There are many interesting things in Malawi and the other countries that people don’t know about. I gave that name to the show as it will travel from Malawi to the Great Lakes Region, thus Rwanda, Burundi and the DRC,” said organiser Tresor Nzengu Mpauni.

He added: “My first objective for this show is to celebrate cultures and make people discover what people from other countries can do. I want to show that despite differences, but through culture we better understand each other.”

Astoundingly, the performers from the other countries are refugees living at Dzaleka Camp in Dowa.

“I want Malawian people, visitors and expats living in Malawi to see talents from the only refugee camp in Malawi, I want to raise awareness about refugee life and situations they are going through. The promotion of fellow refugees will be done through Dzaleka Cultural Association that is an organisation I created, without financial support but I always do my best to make things happen,” explained Mpauni, popularly known as Menes in poetry circles.

While artist Alex and a couple of others who are yet to be confirmed will be representing Malawi, Amahoro will play traditional drums and dance from Burundi.