What does it truly mean to feel a sense of belonging in a place? What nurtures this innate connection, this spontaneous harmony between oneself and the environment, and what are the circumstances that give rise to this feeling of being at ‘home’?
In “Nitakujengea Kinyumba, na Vikuta vya Kupitia” (A Home for You I Will Create, with Exit Pathways), these inquiries are at the forefront. Through her project, Chachage delves into the complexity and diversity of the phenomenon of rootedness by performing alongside narratives and memories inherited from her matrilineage—those of Nankondo, Bibi Mkunde, and Mama Demere. Central to the performance is the transient nature of this sensation and its inherently fragile political implications.
The performance space serves as both a stage and a mental nexus: Chachage meticulously crafts an associative environment using a curated selection of natural materials, within which memories from stories, songs, rituals, and oral traditions are etched. Through her performance, Chachage actively engages with this environment, navigating the role of her body and its interactions with others in the quest for a sense of home. Yet, the fleeting nature of performance as a medium underscore the idea that any feeling of belonging is indefinite and susceptible to disruption at any moment.
Research, Performance, Curatorial project, Community project featuring soil, straw, wood, sisal rope, text
Dimensions vary
2023 (ongoing)