From prisoners to artists

Nkhokwe Arts does traditional dances and drama to convey messages on different human rights issues. The all-male cast was once convicts incarcerated at Chichiri Prison in Blantyre. After walking to freedom, they continued with their group’s mission. Our arts editor EDITH GONDWE caught up with the group’s leader Maxwell Makande for details. Excerpts: 

Q

: What do you actually do to utilise the dances and the drama acts of your groups?

A

: We do various initiatives using traditional dances and drama.

For Malawians who watch MBC TV programme The Court, they can attest to what we do with our acting skills. We are currently also working with Centre for Human Rights, Education, Advice and Assistance [Chreaa]  to use music, dance and drama to teach Malawians the law and how some are ignorant of it and end up arrested for things they could have avoided.

We also teach Malawians on court processes such as how to obtain a court bail as well as a police bail. We use drama and music. We have travelled far and wide to raise awareness among Malawians on these topics.

Malawians need to know what happens when they go to court and what they will meet.

We also use music and drama to teach people about their human rights and what they can do when their rights are being trampled upon.  

Q

: Teaching the masses using drama and music needs expertise. Who trained you?

A

: It is a long story. We have gone through a lot. When we were in prison, we used to be bored with too much idle time on our hands.

So, we could do drama, music and dance just to kill the hours. Then Nanzikambe Arts members would sometimes come to train us.

With time we because more confident and charted our own path, adding some elements of traditional music.

When we came out of prison, we regrouped and named ourselves Nkhokwe Arts. With this group, we have travelled far and wide and changed our lives. We have had additional help from Miss Effie Makepeace from the United Kingdom.

Q

: Malawians at times look at drama and dance as something which we do as a pastime. How important is music, dance and drama to the society?

A

: Our group can bear witness that arts are very important. It can change the country’s economy if well supported. Unfortunately in Malawi our leaders do not seem to take arts seriously. Look at Nigeria, for example, they have improved economically and it is known world wide because of arts. Here in Malawi, arts activities do not get the support that they need to flourish.

I have seen artists struggle asking for support; hence, no significant growth. Right now, we have people in camps while others are depressed because they lost their loved ones and property.

This is the time that authorities should have been organising arts activities to cheer these people up. Even the most depressed person will flash a smile upon being exposed to music and dance. Support and promotion is that we require.