Art And Culture

"Storytelling By The Fireside": How art is being used to tackle societal issues in Mombasa

Participants at the recent "Storytelling by the Fireside" held at the Little Theatre Club, Mombasa. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

By Farhiya Hussein | Monday, June 3, 2024

The initiative is utilising folklore, dance, and percussion to raise awareness and foster understanding of critical issues such as sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), mental health, peace and security, and leadership.

Artists in Mombasa have found a creative platform to address significant societal challenges through the initiative "Storytelling By The Fireside.”

The initiative under the leadership of the Vice Chair of the Little Theatre Club, Collins Mangicho, is utilising folklore, dance, and percussion to raise awareness and foster understanding of critical issues such as sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), mental health, peace and security, and leadership.

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The monthly event, which targets young people aged 12-26, aims to educate the community through unwritten literature and creative expression.

In May, the focus was on mental health wellness, with the Little Theatre Club partnering with SambaSports Youth Agenda and Mama Afrika organisation.

Together, they created an environment free of mental illness through therapy sessions, referrals, and advocacy for safe spaces.

Storytelling By The Fireside utilises folklore, dance, and percussion to raise awareness and foster understanding of critical issues such as sexual and gender-based violence, mental health, peace and security, and leadership. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

Mangicho emphasised the importance of addressing mental health among adolescents and young adults, who are most affected by these issues.

“Creating an environment free from mental disorders through unwritten literature allows us to reach our community effectively. The outcome has been admirable, with 85 per cent of our participants being youth and 15 per cent adults,” he said.

Participants at the recent "Storytelling by the Fireside" held at the Little Theatre Club, Mombasa. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

“By inviting psychologists from different health departments, we can provide pathways and referrals to those affected.”

He added, "We have discovered that art is one of the ways to bring people together," highlighting the unifying power of art in tackling these issues.

Mwanaisha from SambaSports Youth Agenda noted the positive impact their efforts are having on decolonising mental health. “Our engagement with artists is yielding fruits,” she said.

Vice Chair of the Little Theatre Club Project Lead "Storytelling By The Fireside" Collins Mangicho. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

Fiona Mwangangi, Executive Director of Mama Afrika, echoed this sentiment, emphasising the importance of learning from older generations.

"We, the youth and the current generation, should ensure we return to the ways of the past. Talking to grandparents and understanding their way of life can help us manage and avoid mental stress," Khamisi Ali, one of the attendees, said.

Ralia Kahindi, a participant, expressed the value of the initiative.

"I believe this should be something done regularly to assist us. We benefit from these educational programmes provided," she said, underscoring the benefits of the educational programmes.