by Xinhua writers Hua Hongli, Lin Guangyao, Lucas Liganga
DAR ES SALAAM, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- At the China Cultural Center in Tanzania's commercial hub of Dar es Salaam, Danifrida Ngonyani took to the stage as Chang'e, the legendary figure from Chinese mythology who flies to the moon.
This, however, was no ordinary retelling of an ancient tale: the characters spoke Kiswahili, while traditional Tanzanian instruments, including drums and marimba, accompanied the performance.
The play "Chang'e: Flying to the Moon" was part of celebrations marking the Mid-Autumn Festival, drawing diplomats, film industry stakeholders and other guests, who watched attentively and applauded the performance.
For the Tanzanian actress, who has been a member of the local organization African Film Arts and Social Revolution (AFASR) for about four years, playing Chang'e offered an opportunity to explore Chinese history and discover connections between the two countries' cultural traditions.
"Being given the role of Chang'e made me very proud and excited," she said, adding that the experience taught her about Chinese history and love.
The legend of Chang'e is deeply intertwined with the Mid-Autumn Festival, a cherished Chinese tradition when families reunite, gaze at the full moon, and share mooncakes.
According to one version of the legend, Chang'e drinks an elixir of immortality to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. She then ascends to the moon, leaving her husband, Hou Yi, on Earth.
The festival, marked on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, is also associated with the harvest and symbolizes reunion and togetherness.
Bringing the story to a Tanzanian stage took more than language translation. The production incorporated local music and theatrical traditions, allowing Tanzanian performers to tell a Chinese story through artistic expressions familiar to their audiences.
Nyakwesi Silas Mujaya, founder and director of AFASR, said the approach sought to blend the two cultures, without allowing either to overshadow the other.
"When we take a Chinese story, we put it in a Tanzanian context and perform it in a way that allows both cultures to be represented," she said.
For Mujaya, the legend also carries themes familiar to Tanzanian audiences, including sacrifice, responsibility, protecting others, and the struggle between good and evil.
She said the story reminded her of Tanzanian historical figures who had made sacrifices for their people, as well as experiences within families and communities.
"Although the story comes from China, some of its values are similar to ours. We also celebrate our heroes and preserve stories about people who have done important things for society," she said.
The production was developed through cooperation between AFASR and the China Cultural Center in Tanzania.
A total of 14 artists took part, including stage performers and those responsible for music and visual elements. The one-hour play required about one month of continuous preparation, according to Mujaya.
The cultural center also provided support for production materials and costumes, helping the nonprofit organization meet some of the costs involved in staging the performance.
Founded in 2012, AFASR uses drama, theatre, music and dance to support women, children and young people, helping them develop artistic skills and find opportunities to participate in their communities.
"Arts and culture are not only a way of empowering people economically, but also a way of helping them understand their culture, develop skills and contribute to their communities and society," Mujaya said.
She noted that many participating artists still rely on other activities to support themselves between commissioned performances. AFASR hopes that wider cultural partnerships and more opportunities to perform will help make artistic work a more sustainable livelihood.
For Ngonyani, playing Chang'e has also deepened her interest in Chinese culture.
Preparing for the role introduced her to Chinese history and traditions she had not previously encountered. During activities associated with the production, she also learned about Chinese coffee-making practices, another experience that introduced her to unfamiliar cultural traditions.
"I like their culture. If I get the opportunity to visit China, I would like to learn many more things, including their cultural traditions and dances, because I also enjoy dancing," she said.
Mujaya shared that ambition, voicing hope for cooperation with the China cultural center to eventually enable AFASR artists to perform in China, introduce Tanzanian culture to Chinese audiences and learn from Chinese performers.
"I want to visit China not only to see the country, but also to learn about its culture. At the same time, I want Chinese people to learn about Tanzanian culture," Mujaya added. ■
