Hapo Zamani za Kale was co-founded over a dinner conversation in 2019 by Elizabeth Mwambulukutu and Annastazia Gura: two communication professionals with a passion for creativity, arts, and culture. 

Growing up in Tanzania, almost every child our age would look forward to a storytelling session, which was traditionally narrated by an elder, usually a grandparent. We remember these moments as a special moment to bond with either our siblings/ relatives around an open fire, under a huge mango tree, in an aromatic kitchen, or in a family room. Presently, most families barely find time to enjoy the simple joys of telling and listening to African folktales – we realized that there was more we could! Hapo Zamani Za Kale aims to preserve, restore, and promote the culture and art of traditional storytelling and stories in Tanzania. 

To many, traditional African folklores served as a fundamental bridge for knowledge and transfer of key life lessons and wisdom from one generation to another. Through Hapo Zamani za Kale, we work with the elderly, indigenous communities, local governments, artists, and youth to collectively preserve, restore, and promote the culture, art, and tradition of storytelling.