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10/14/1972 - Traditional Crafts by George Jones

NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT WRITER S CONSENT INSTITUTE OF CURRENT WORLD AFFAIRS GJ October Traditional Crafts P O Box O80 Dar Salaam Tanzania R H Nolte Institute Current Affairs Fifth AvenueNew York New York Dear Nolte The urban migrant generally thought being young adventurous unskilled jobless He further described seeking quick fortune might bride grand fashion Very recently I meeting migrants conform stereotype They elderly married skilled employed although might adventurous would aptly described opportunists Furthermo contrast younger people unattractive boring expensive These elderly maintain close contact their relatives upcountry every opportunity continue Way doing things T these wazee elders enough their schedules interviewed Bwana Kopoka Linenje basket weaver Saidi Simbamlima traditional drummer Inspire having chase around order these I thoroughly enjoyed contacts I pleased their invitations visit their villages Bwana Kopoka L njenje ozambique boundary Tanzania However early moved family across border southern district twara where lived since Unlike Wamakonde tribe kopoka pursue father carving He explained though considered excellent apprentice father having produced several quality carvings never interest before considered ready commercial tures It fathero accept found enjoyment working ebony woods When questioned father would living eagerly presented series articles which woven bamboo privacy little For almost teaching himself basketry After critical examination father decided talentud pursue interest further interference Bwana Kopoka admits within sixteen years considered himself fundi master craftsman Within period mastered majority different weaves As talked hands perpetualmotion moved deftly several strands reeds Bytheendofourfirst session hehadproducedfour smallmats which depicted popular weaves matting lattice wattle Hementioned these basic patterns infinite number weaves Upon istence I attempted simple patterns taught children cially small girls introduction skill basketry After several minutes without sUccess duplicating iWeave I summarily dismissed Bwana Linjene He asserted youngsters I impatient When I learning I could eight hours practicising pattern He would become engrossed would forget In answer question teaching weaver replied ruled possibility children becom present industrious weavers young twara showing great promise towards becom master craftsmen He related Called quite frequently rural school districts demonstrations rural schools offerin basketry their students hopes rekindling interest thxswaning traditional skill In addition teaching Bwana Linene commissioned National Muse Tanzania reproduce series traditional articles usually found typical Tanzauian household The museum officials other Tanzanians sensing basketry slowly record possible before In order supplement income museum officials agreed allow weaver articles general pUblic objects which Bwana Linene produces bamboo which plentiful cheap Tanzania He explained bamboo shoots relative young months The pliant quality young plant allows weaver twist strand greater range motion without breaking He added weavers special shaded places which store bamboo ntain moisture possible In order bamboo ready weaving outer inner layers shaved extremely sharp knife This usUally relegated apprentice Bwana Linenje showedme Several scars hands which indicated careful pastwhen shaving bamboo Upon completion stripping phase bamboo soaked either water colored short period The bamboo nowready To exposed finished product second plant which found areas country looped around outer edges This creeping serves weave pllace while giving articlea polished appearance As talked about variety articles being duced present Bwana Linjene became concerned It seems customers beginning place demands change latest fashions They longer resort solely natural materials bamboo Their demands bright thetic durable materials plastic nylon He feels althoughhis quality craftsman guaranteedhim certain market future adapt He however found consolation tourists remainattracted hisprs style As talked about changes weaver related biggest changehe family relationship He longer travel around while leaving She accompanies trips Mama Linjenje although present during sessions seemed content background listen Every would muffle chucklewhen pitch husband voice changed attempted pr0eclt As husbandworkedhekepthimsup plied withr awmaterials How there pause activity would projects Like African women I presence their husbands Mama Linenje never volunteered ormation oined conversa I directed questions would first husband proceed speak She extreme contradict demean husband I found witty informative curious about world around Linjenje related became lonely husband whenever travelled three period which quite frequently She possible company husband learn about basketry beyond elementary level usually taught parents youngsters After period months reminisced after hausting safaris accomplished spare related could helpful moved different urban ceners In ticipation sponse concerning children sheba foresightedly taine premise relatives attend aurnE sence Mama inenSe presented acquiesced Without resisemce He later Been notom their workimg reiationship alsobyvirtueof compamy especially during She working husban She proudly ShOwed samples several artiCles which sleeping matete winnowingbas large tapestry ulembo ukutanx They agree within Mama Linene products enough S01d market During Second interview I noticed Bwana Linene slight moved around previous moved position while being questioned hours As result series freak accidents M Kopoka amputated It replacedby wooden He related during festival infected having healed infected result scratching jutting booths Unable leave right attention became seriously iseased He later hadto GJ Basic Patterns Lft Bwana Lin using matting lattice Lft Mama taking essentials wattle hospitalized after unsuccessful treatment removed hence Without going ailBwanaLinene attributed hisaccident ithei ealousyof neighbors Hefelt thattheyhad consultedthelocal mchawi tChdoetor He assert someimes happens emOed irestof unity economically socially With statememt refused pursue matter fther The highlight Bwana Linjene career cording tohim occred weaver Saba Saba birth Celebrations As discUssedthe details celebrations beckoned certificate deneting award But before completed proudly quoted lengthy scription Written cover I signed Provincial Coissier Coast Region F interviews Bwana_L inene hOugh productivedenjoyable somewhat passive At imesI couldarely spoken weaver Such casewith BWana Saidi Simbmlima He Wih question entire neiew inatedo_sesions Iecting listening DUrins inStances forceful bassv0ice couldbe above theroar overhead airples passing freigh trains Our meetings however So excit interestingtha I continued visit after I finished inteies He extended invitation visit house I willingly acceted became domesticated almost visit Simbamlima house overwhelmingly cordial I lostrelative On occasion I asked Simbamlima whether I trulyreturned He added Your sisters andbr missed Before first interviewing session commenced abruptly interrupted ifour visible distressed After lengthy apology asked Simbamlima speak privacy Spending least twenty minutes these inside house drummer finally emerged followed group Judging smiles laughter I assumed succeeded unofficial ialservice duties He agreed accompany these their community participating special ngoma dance ceremony which needed service The community elders delegation elcit noted drummer According their reports engaged spiritual cleasing ngoma thedrumming ensemble which hired occasion making progress towards communicating proper spirits Their patient undergoing spiritual cleansing stirred twenty trance Simbamlima success hoped would again machawi spell At I realize I discussed their Simba mlima announced would under dition I allowed accompany Exci I fascinated Simbamlima lived Dar Salaam approximately twent years In sgite excellent reputation exceptionally drummer arrived Dar Salaam resort selling coffee streets order living While telling about these early Dar produced Arabian coffee several small tasse which during early exper ience He produced metallic which attract customers clicking together rhythmic fashion He recounted although coffee other vendors never large clientele looked forward daily visits These early years streets important reflected He contacts familiar ization invaluable years It easier adjust demands living living parents During period adjustment children At present children married studying Kora The attending primary school Within short years after arrival Dar Salaam Simbamlima recalled began getting calls weekend dances lecals Subsequently prowess began spread reach until Independence Celebrations Dur festivities crowed President traditional drummer He presented check hundred shillings trophr From mused there hardly weekend holiday which found Having since limited schedule reasonable Simbamlima commits himself three sessions month At point I playing eight times month lgany stints Continued would three chief drummer I would continuously According dances Dar Salaam usually begin Saturday continue until Sunday evening whereas areas danees commence Friday quite until Tuesday S mbalima would remain alert during these sessions drinking large quantities local drink called gongo Eight years Simbamlima decided would plement income making drums other drummers In drums simply His father popular musician taught brothers early His father philosophy drummer knows intrument intimately become familiar Great istaken tools order Without dding Simbamlima consented during interviews demonstrate thetradi tional technique style He finish would brother States I found later unusual drummerslike Simbamlima share their drums drummers strangers arrived promptly later agreed Simbamlima already started stopped immediately might morning While finishing ndazi pastry explained neighbor compound morning coconut which would Judging could probably least drums reasonable makers harder because durability Some popular trees include mkongo mninge mvule mtanga msolo In recent government directive howev noted these woods first obtaining proper certification government At present coconut woods plentiful cheap As continued Simbamlima emphasized honed tools There seven basicimplements which crafts carry their chapio scoop patasi chisel msumeno itankio pounder knife Simbamlima spends hours sharpenin blades tightening handles In munity prestigious tools Drums variety specifiCations usually keeping traditions particular tribe which being S mbalima reperted drums small inches height Chief number years which measured After selecting areas coconut which Simbamlima commenced giant sever cylindrical blocks His remove heavy With tremendous display strength ordination stripped thebark With pleted medium chisel mallet shape block His strokes precise passage became swift staccatic Ereritually began beating chisel rhythmic fashion which attracted nearby market As crowd gyrations pounding increased scopeand tempo At One point leaped sitting p0sition round block ofwood pausingnow tapswith patasi One younger spectators gathered empty oined spontaneous beating steady rhythm Simbamlima moved around Shortly spectators began clapping their hands syncopation s0undsof drums However before village elder approached Simbamlima whispered something S From expression Simba mlima sensed something wrong quickly spectacle started stopped The walked owards lions house The crowd mevemen their leave Later while retelling events particular Simblima reperted semeone apprised elder intention aking mgeni This angered elder because Simbamlima reduced price thinking Would ersonal The elder deceived friend Simbamlima particularly upset because exposed because elder knoWn expert certain brand which there remedies It important matter cleared immediately It evident Simbamlima right things eiderwhile thehouse emerged wenty minutes smiling exchanging small Simbamlima explained elder intentions selling simply demonstrating basics making friend He explain arrived skillful phases operation planned elicit advice service elder Since makes drums The plausible anation agreed participate As settled their proect remaining lookers sighed relief friend agained triumphed As elder began demonstrate became involved youngsters fetch personal tools Instructing which tools bring placed messenger The signal elder tools Without would chased house The elder making drums since early boyhood Vhen asked Old however could respond pointing youngsters crowd Saying probably during World War I He remembers being hidden mother fighting place village The father grandfather teachinghis making He instrUCt twelveyoung signed apprentices He teaches upcountry shamba which located hundred miles Dar Salaam His Wife second twelve children remain there temhe crops chickens When asked drums during elder laughed I probably could count He specializes making drums rather producing indiv idual pieces For Wazaramo tribe where maimly makes generally prepes Stripping Using stabilize Hollowing process The elder shaping drums correspond ritual dances which their ngomas There usually seven drums They three sizes small ngezi medium kibige largest nditi With sharing remaining within short peried After chiseling outside desired shape formed While elder completed Bwana S mbamlima began digging ground Th placed commenced hollowin insides twank The thickness walls calculated basis length When I asked there formula laughed whento gouging After bellowing process after sanding entire structure bered holes around appreximately inches Pegs these holes The final entailed taking processed stretchin secUring Any animal The whele precess including interruptions taken hours Although I received promised Simbamlima I never grateful interesting demonstration insistence I accompany ngoma I perhaps write about ritual future Newsletter