Tanzania
The Tanzanian History of Comics
The three artists David Kyungu, Marco Tibasima and Hedwiga Medard Tairo are representatives of three generations of Cartoonists in Tanzania.
In the late 60s and early 70s, when David Kyungu was still in school, he knew he had talent. First, his drawings decorated his friends T-shirts, before they were later published in newspapers, journals and books. After studying Graphic Design in Italy, his works were exhibited across Germany, after his first exhibition in “Hamburger Völkerkunde Museum” in 1987. Todays generations still profit from Kyungu’s art.
Marco Tibasima, was born in Tanzania in 1974. His strong passion for drawing and comic jounals made him create a school magazine with his friends. His career started when he had the opportunity to publish in a new journal “Msanii Afrika”. After becoming a chief cartoonist for another journal and working with NGOs to create educational cartoons, he became popular across the country and abroad. He created his own printed magazine “BANTU” and several online magazines. Tibasima is fighting for a betterment in the Tanzanian art industry.
Hedwiga Medard Tairo also started drawing when she was still in school. In her boarding school for girls, she earned her money by decorating her comrades love letters with drawings, or creating cards and selling them. While studying Geology in Dar-es-Salaam she used her weekends to widen her knowledge in arts. After graduating in 2017, she began getting payed for her drawings and started to participate in several exhibitions. In 2021, she acquired her own studio, where she is creating and selling her art.
In the late 60s and early 70s, when David Kyungu was still in school, he knew he had talent. First, his drawings decorated his friends T-shirts, before they were later published in newspapers, journals and books. After studying Graphic Design in Italy, his works were exhibited across Germany, after his first exhibition in “Hamburger Völkerkunde Museum” in 1987. Todays generations still profit from Kyungu’s art.
Marco Tibasima, was born in Tanzania in 1974. His strong passion for drawing and comic jounals made him create a school magazine with his friends. His career started when he had the opportunity to publish in a new journal “Msanii Afrika”. After becoming a chief cartoonist for another journal and working with NGOs to create educational cartoons, he became popular across the country and abroad. He created his own printed magazine “BANTU” and several online magazines. Tibasima is fighting for a betterment in the Tanzanian art industry.
Hedwiga Medard Tairo also started drawing when she was still in school. In her boarding school for girls, she earned her money by decorating her comrades love letters with drawings, or creating cards and selling them. While studying Geology in Dar-es-Salaam she used her weekends to widen her knowledge in arts. After graduating in 2017, she began getting payed for her drawings and started to participate in several exhibitions. In 2021, she acquired her own studio, where she is creating and selling her art.