Documenting the undocumented

Trailer videos by Take2Studios: Photography by Bill Marwa; Videography by Anna Kishimbo

Hadzabe and Datoga Art Exhibition

Our online exhibition is a series of explorative projects under our Documenting the Undocumented projects that promote and record Tanzanian culture and supports artists to take part in international collaborations.

Who are the Hadzabe and Datogas?

We are raising awareness of our vibrant history, tribes and cultures for empowerment, education and tourism purposes.

The area surrounding Lake Eyasi, in Northern Tanzania is home to indigenous ethnic tribes known as the Hadzabe and Datoga. There are, as of 2015, between 1,200 and 1,300 Hadza people living in Tanzania, however only around 400 Hadza still survive exclusively based on the traditional means of foraging.

While there are some documentaries that have spotlighted these indigenous tribes (i.e. 2015 National Geographic video) and turned them into untouched jewels in Tanzania’s tourist attraction. We felt that more stories were yet to be told, particularly those created by Tanzanians.

Documenting the undocumented

There is much to be learned from the indigenous communities, particularly the women who hold an equal position to their male counterparts and are natural artisans. We felt that it was important for us to offer an alternative and a more empowering narrative by delving deeper into their identity to celebrate and uplift their community, and also facilitate cultural education and exchange for the public about Tanzania’s indigenous people through art.

Our Project

Documenting the Undocumented is a project series aimed at showcasing the indigenous tribes of Tanzania and promoting their longevity in the modern era. In this exhibition, Ammal, Beatrice, Jennifer, and Shija are four emerging creatives who traveled to Qangded, the Hadzabe and Datoga communities to engage and learn from them. This journey transformed their narratives into a creative medium. Their stories are exhibited by Emergent Art Space, an organization that promotes young international artists.

We collaborated with Emergent Art Space who are hosting the virtual exhibition