Laments of the Khanga (KILIO CHA KHANGA)

This is a musical about an enchanting piece of cloth called “Khanga” also known as “kanga”. The khanga has deep cultural, historical and economical significance throughout East Africa, especially the coastline of the Indian Ocean.

Of late the khanga feels it has lost some of its popularity due to the arrival of used clothing (mitumba) and the imported “dera” from the east. In this musical the khanga is brought back to its glory by showcasing its traditional uses alongside the khanga’s and the its place in modern fashion.

It is a talking cloth that for more than 100 years has united cultures and communities, young and old, rich and poor, men and women, locals and foreigners.

This common thread comes in colorful, dynamic designs and also comes with “sayings” which are meant to teach, scold, encourage, motivate, Praise the Lord and sometimes plain tease.

In the middle of the 19th century, it is said the fashion-minded women in the islands of Zanzibar began sewing together a string of printed kerchiefs to form a new design the called “lesso”. The lesso caught on quickly and soon entrepreneur shopkeepers ordered loud designs from factories that became the modern day khanga.