Flinn Works + Asedeva:
Maji Maji Flava

Trigger Warning

This performance contains historical texts from the colonial era fromWissmann, Carl Peters and Graf von Götzen which are racist (e.g. the N-word is used).

Maji Maji Flava is a collaboration between Flinn Works (Kassel/Berlin) and Asedeva (Dar es Salaam) which takes the MAJI MAJI WAR (1905 – 1907) of Tanzanian resistance against German colonial rule as its point of departure. From this shared historical event – that is perceived completely different in the two countries – the team will start an exploration of different themes: What are the perspectives on the Maji Maji War today? How can we represent this war that is at the same time myth, legend, taboo and historical event? How can we integrate different perspectives into one performance? How can we create a co-production that speaks to both Tanzanian and German audiences?

The artists and performers creating this work have radically different artistic, cultural and geopolitical perspectives. These perspectives will not be glossed over but rather sharpened into focus, driving the artistic process. Instead of seeking compromise, the project invites this clash of juxtaposing contemporary viewpoints on a shared historical event and its effects on today. Exoticism will be deconstructed, cultural stereotypes and opposing perspectives will be examined and performatively articulated. Maji Maji Flava will create an imaginative and generative artistic space in which language slips between German, Swahili and English, abstract theatre clashes with driving rhythms, magic confounds science, and contemporary dance co-exists with satire.

WITH Isack Peter Abeneko, Jan S. Beyer, Sabrina Ceesay, Konradin Kunze, Shabani Mugado, Lisa Stepf Direction Sophia Stepf CHOREOGRAphy Isack Peter Abeneko MUSIcal direction Jan S. Beyer MIS-EN-SCÈNE Brigitte Schima ASSISTance, DOcumentary Julia Gechter company management ehrliche arbeit - freies Kulturbüro

Produced by Flinn Works / Flinntheater e.V. in co-production with Asedeva (Daressalam) and in cooperation with the Staatstheater Kassel. Funded by TURN of the Kulturstiftung des Bundes as well as the Goethe-Institut Daressalam, the Kulturamt der Stadt Kassel and the Vijana Vipaji Foundation. media partner: taz.die tageszeitung.

photo: N.Klinger