At the age of 8, after being inspired by the paintings his older brother was creating, Tukei began to take up sketching. Soon showing a natural talent in the arts he passionately strove to cultivate his abilities and ended up pursing a degree in art and photography at Makerere University. Now 25 years old, Tukei is able to support himself completely through his work as an artist. Each year he usually will work for about 4 months on making paintings then selling them, and for the last 8 months he lives off the profit from his paintings and focuses on developing his hobbies of photography and filmmaking.

Tukei has only been involved in creating films since 2009, but has already shown a natural talent. Check out the trailer below from his latest film entitled Kengere. It is a wonderful 20 minute short which uses stop-motion animation and traditional banana leaf dolls to tell the story of a Ugandan bicycle rider. If you’re in the Kampala Uganda area be on the lookout for updates about a film viewing party Ensigo will be hosting for Kengere around the end of January.

Here are some selections of his work:

kengere from t.u.k.e.izm on Vimeo.

P.S. To check out more of Tukei’s photography and art work please visit the ensigo facebook page.

Somaliland is unlike any country I have previously experienced. It is a land of dramatic extremes! I have had some of the most thrilling positive experiences (which I will share in detail once I’m in Uganda). But in this same trip I have also been deeply saddened by a string of negative incidents I endured. However I think I’m gradually learning to find joy in all of these experiences and seek growth.

I consider my time in Somaliland well worth it. And I’m looking forward to continue investing in the friendships that I was blessed to form here.

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Tribute to the Days of Somali Musical Yore:

In my research I found that the golden era of locally composed and recorded Somali music has passed, hitting it’s pinnacle in the mid 1980’s with the popularity of groups like Iftin and Dur Dur, While there is an abundance of wonderful new Somali music being created by the diaspora (notable artists: Nimco, Maryan Mursal, and K’naan), the current state of music in Somalia is dismal. In recent history musicians were highly revered as cultural icons and voices of a generation, however many are now trapped in lifestyles of destitution revolving around an addiction to an amphetamine-like drug named “khat.” As a tribute to the days of Somali musical yore, and a longing to see local musicians return to making beautiful music and developing their talents, I am posting 5 of my favorite songs that were collected during my research. I hope you are as moved by the passion in the performances in these songs as I am. And please join me in praying for the restoration and local support of the musicians (and their families) who are remaining in Somalia.

Iftin – Haka Yeelin Nacabkeenna
Dur Dur – Goromphmca
Arays Esse – Haddii Kale Wahan Iahaa
Kinsi Xaaji Aadan – Adkaysan Waayoo Aduun Dhibkiisaa
Xasan Aadan Samatar

One particular Wednesday evening, upon invitation from Abramz, I decided to put on my dancin’ pants and try my hand at breakdancing. Some sweet 90’s throwback hip hop was pumping from the speakers and the hall was quickly filled with energetic youth, talking and laughing. Then slowly the whole room came alive as participants began breakdancing. The venue is the Sharing Youth Center in Kampala Uganda. Since February 2007, Breakdance Project Uganda has held classes every Monday and Wednesday night free of charge.

“Breakdancing is a tool to overcome being idle and the undermining feeling of having no direction in life. It is a way of reaching out to the kids in the slum area who do not have the money for schools and who are unemployed. In this project we’re all equal, everyone is a student and everyone is a teacher. If you learn something for free you teach somebody else for free”, Abramz says.

Recently a film crew directed by Nabil Elderkin and Crazy Legs (founder of the Rock Steady Crew) visited Uganda after receiving an invitation from Abramz to teach b-boy classes. What they discovered upon arrival was both heartbreaking and inspiring. Traveling throughout Uganda, from the southern slums to the war-torn North, Crazy Legs encountered a passion for hip-hop and desire to learn amongst the most squalid conditions. “Bouncing Cats” is an inspiring story of one man’s attempt to create a better life for the children of Uganda using the unlikely tool of hip-hop with a focus on b-boy culture and breakdancing. Abraham “Abramz” Tekya’s Breakdance Project Uganda (B.P.U.) is a project that could empower, rehabilitate and heal the community by teaching youth about b-boy culture. The film features narration by Common and interviews with Mos Def, Will-I-Am, and K’Naan.

Check out this trailer for the upcoming film, and make sure you go and see it once it’s released!

BOUNCING CATS film trailer from nabil elderkin on Vimeo.

While I tend to dislike the majority of Ugandan dancehall music, I thought this video offered an interesting perspective on this popular sub-culture of urban Uganda. I would love to open this topic up for dialogue and hear what other opinions are represented…feel free to add your comment to this post.

The earthquake is feared to have killed more than 100,000 and Haitian officials have stated that it is possibly much higher. Most of the damage was in the heavily populated capital of Porta-au-Prince.

You can help keep people alive.

Our friends at Food for the Hungry are working with their partners on the ground, providing the following to survivors:

* Water filtration systems
* Water purification tablets
* Kitchen kits and cooking supplies
* Flash lights, blankets & medical supplies
* Hygiene kits
* Temporary shelter tarps and plastic

Without this immediate disaster relief, infections and disease will spread, killing countless more Haitians. Food For The Hungry already have a head start with workers mobilized on the ground. But they urgently need additional supplies and support to save more lives.

Your gift of any size now will provide what they need to bring life-saving help to Haitians in need. Donate now at www.fh.org

While you are making your donation please check out some wonderful music below by Altieri Dorival, the father of Haitian Twoubadou music.

9. Baaba Maal | “Television” | [Palm Pictures, 2009]
Senegal

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8. Staff Benda Bilili | “Polio” | [Crammed Discs, 2009]
Democratic Republic of the Congo

Staff Benda Bilili – Polio
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7. Amadou & Mariam | “Sabali” | [Nonesuch, 2009]
Mali

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6. BLK JKS | “Molalatladi” | [Secretly Canadian, 2009]
South Africa

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5. Mulatu Astake & The Heliocentrics | “Masenqo” | [Strut, 2009]

Ethiopia

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4. El Rego Et Ses Commandos | “Vimado Wingnan” | [Analog Africa, 2009]
Benin

El Rego Et Ses Commandos – Vimado Wingnan
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3. Blitz The Ambassador | “Something To Believe In” | [Embassy MVMT, 2009]
Ghana

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2. The Very Best | “Angonde” | [Green Owl, 2009]
Malawi

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1. Oumou Sangare & Bela Fleck | “Djorolen” | [Rounder, 2009]
Mali

This beautiful song (War/No More Trouble by Bob Marley) features musicians from all over the world who have seen and overcome conflict and hatred with love and perseverance.