Twaliwo

about the piece

Twaliwo is a phrase in Luganda, the language of the Buganda tribe — one of the largest ethnic groups in present-day Uganda — and it roughly means: “We once were.” Behind it lies the idea that there was once a time when people lived in harmony with one another. This time is remembered as being economically and spiritually balanced. By now, it is considered lost, and Twaliwo has become a colloquial expression for something that belongs to the past.

In this project, we focus on a material and a craft practice that originate from a time one would refer to as “Twaliwo.”

The practice involves the production of Lubugo, the bark cloth from Uganda, which is one of the oldest textile production methods in human history. It dates back 12,000 years and uses the bark of the Mutuba fig tree. Today, it is recognized as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and is protected by UNESCO.

This piece seeks to use the tools of documentary dance theatre to tell the story of bark cloth — and to incorporate the many traditional dances and songs that are connected to this fabric.

credits

Concept: Christoph Winkler and Robert Ssempijja | With and by: Robert Ssempijja, Michael Kaddu, Adamou Bance | Costumes: Joseph Tebandeke
DOP: Kibuuka Musika| Graphic & Video Editing: Gabriella Fiore | 3D Artists: Matthias Härtig, Vadim Epstein | Technical Direction: Fabian Eichner
Sound: Björn Stegmann | Production Management: Heleen de Boever

dates