An enterprise established by two Europeans (Arlen Dilsizian and Derek Debru) in Kampala, Uganda, the Nyege Nyege HQ has provided editorial outlets, a festival, a management structure and most importantly multiple viable channels from which insular and underexposed cultures can present themselves. This has involved Sub-Saharan idioms, but other parts of the globe as well, in an ever-expanding process. Nyege Nyege has been a beacon of ideas and constructive, positive endeavours for post-colonialist times. It has helped nurturing artists’ self-pride and so understand that they can function out of their own artistic areas to exert a concrete impact in the outside world.

In this unprecedented collaboration with maat the line-up presented six different emissions from six different parts of the world – South Africa, Mali, Tanzania, Saint Lucia in the Caribbean Sea, Reunion Island and Uganda – where forward-thinking communities and ideas unite under one flag; one of progression, confrontation, celebration and understanding. Live acts and DJ sets by Menzi (Durban, South Africa, Future Gqom style) DJ Diaki (Sanankoroba, Mali, Balani Fou Show style), Jay Mitta feat. MC Anti Vairus (Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Singeli style), DJ Chengz (Saint Lucia, Caribbean Sea, Lucian Kuduros/ Dennery Segment), Jako Maron (Réunion Island, Electro Maloya style), HHY & The Kampala Unit (Uganda/ Portugal/ Congo, Avant Percussion Ensemble).

The celebrations of International Museum Day – which in 2020 were themed around “diversity and inclusion” – remind us that only through an open-ended process of productive debate and creative solidarity museums as harbingers of culture can continue support the becoming of worldviews that are product of mutual respect and care for our common destiny, and that the challenges posed to the one are always the challenges of the many.