Khanga Color Code: The Journey of Bridging Art and Science
See how scientific readings of trees are translated using East Africa's most popular fabric
Khanga is a colorful fabric common in Swahili culture. It has many uses; as a garment, a baby wrap, a towel and a ceremonial gift, to name a few. Essentially, khangas are more than a piece of fabric. Sayings printed along their wide rim have been a means for women to send messages to those around them for ages.
The project used about 500 double khangas to color-code the "message" picked from the baobab tree. The baobab tree selected for this communication was outfitted with sensors collecting information about its well-being. Khanga-coded message was then enacted as a performance.
Interpretation by the artists allows the spectators to learn about the language of nature and relate to it through art.
Receiving the message
Sensors placed on a young baobab tree located on Manda Island collected information about the well-being of the tree, such as circulation of fluids in the trunk, hydration, gas emissions, wind resistance, and many other parameters.
Khanga color code 8 (2021) by Olga Kisseleva, James Mweu, and James MuriukiOriginal Source: https://eaman.org/
Coding in colors
The data is translated into colours...
Choosing khangas to color code the "message" from a baobab, the Lamu Island, "Listening to the Rift Valley" (2021) by Olga Kisseleva and James MuriukiEastern African Museum of Art Nairobi (EAMAN)
Coding in khangas
...and matched in khangas with the colours of the colour code created for the interpretation of the "message" collected from the sensors placed on the baobab tree on Manda Island.
Khanga color code 1 (2021) by Olga Kisseleva, James Mweu, and James MuriukiOriginal Source: https://eaman.org/
The meaning of a pattern
A khanga composition representing the colour code used for the interpretation of "messages" collected by sensors placed on a baobab tree, Manda Island.
Khanga coding helped bridge the distance between art and science in a particular Eastern African way
Khanga color code 2 (2021) by Olga Kisseleva, James Mweu, and James MuriukiOriginal Source: https://eaman.org/
Preparing the alphabet of khangas for a dialogue
Artist Olga Kisseleva and choreographer James Mweu preparing khangas for the baobab-centred performances and installations.
Khanga color code 3 (2021) by Olga Kisseleva, James Mweu, and James MuriukiOriginal Source: https://eaman.org/
Scientific code meets culture
Colour-coded khangas matched and prepared for the installation UKITAKA NIFURAHISHA, NIPE YA SIKUKUU, Palm Tree Boma, Lamu Island.
Khanga color code 10 (2021) by Olga Kisseleva, James Mweu, and James MuriukiOriginal Source: https://eaman.org/
The journey of khangas to the installation site
Khangas are loaded by the choreographer James Mweu and the porters on donkeys to be transported to the site of the performance.
The sea journey of khangas to the site of the performance
Sewn together, khanga coupons are transported in a dhow boat to the site of the installation celebrating color-coded communication with a baobab tree.
Khanga color code 4 (2021) by Olga Kisseleva, James Mweu, and James MuriukiOriginal Source: https://eaman.org/
Preparing the message
Photographer Margaret Ngigi and Choreographer James Mweu with assistants preparing for the installation UKITAKA NIFURAHISHA, NIPE YA SIKUKUU and using matched color-coded khangas, Shela beach, Lamu Island.
UKITAKA NIFURAHISHA, NIPE YA SIKUKUU performance 2 (2021) by Olga Kisseleva, James Mweu, and James MuriukiOriginal Source: https://eaman.org/
UKITAKA NIFURAHISHA, NIPE YA SIKUKUU installation completed
From khanga to code and back to khanga
Khangas used to color code the message "sent" by the baobab tree are drying on the verandah of a Swahili house after the performance UKITAKA NIFURAHISHA, NIPE YA SIKUKUU.
Nabudele Nandudu telling the story of khanga
Sayings written along the broad rim of khangas became titles for the performances created to celebrate the interpretation of the message received from the baobab tree during the creation of the "Listening to the Rift Valley" project.
Khanga Color Code: the Journey of Bridging Art and Science
Authors: Olga Kisseleva, James Muriuki
Photographer: Ian Kathurima Kinyua (SwiftLab), James Muriuki, Margaret Ngigi
Video editing: James Muriuki, Emmaus Kimani, Federico Debetto
Curator: James Muriuki
Project & Technical Coordinator: Emmaus Kimani
Project Director: Maria Amelina
Commissioned, co-created and co-produced by EAMAN
Participation of Nabudele Nandudu, the Peponi Hotel are gratefully acknowledged.
Listening to The Rift Valley Project
https://eaman.org
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