Art has always been an ideal way to give people a glimpse into a different side of cultures that may have not been covered by a large portion of history or current events. Through it, artists – musicians, painters or storytellers, get to tell stories from first-hand experiences.

For the most part, Northern Kenya has been mired with stories of conflict and poverty with little being told about those making great strides to uplift the community and even less being known about their culture. Its geographic location coupled with deliberate policies 50 years ago that focused the newly independent nation’s resources in the green and agriculturally rich south of the country meant that people from Turkana did not identify as Kenyan. For years, Turkana has been left behind. But with recent finds of valuable resources including oil and water in the region, Kenya is laying claim on Turkana.

Across the border from Turkana lies the Karamoja region in Uganda. Karamoja is also endowed with resources including gold, limestone and marble and has had a similarly fraught relationship with the capital and the agricultural south of the country.

However, change is happening in the region with organizations such as Content House Kenya bringing together artists from Turkana, Karamoja, Kampala and Nairobi with the aim of changing the narrative of the Ateker region. Giving artists from the region and beyond a platform to be part of the discussion, exchange as well as bring art to the forefront of some of the most urgent issues of the region. 

Content House Kenya was founded by photographer and filmmaker Jackie Lebo. It is a collection of filmmakers, artists and writers formed to create and distribute content on subjects that were in public interest yet underrepresented in the mainstream media. Through using innovative delivery methods in print, radio, film and new media platforms they aim to publicize stories that are yet to be covered in existing media.

One of the many projects they are involved in is the Artist’s Xchange. It began in 2018, bringing together artists from Turkana, Karamoja, Kampala and Nairobi to produce work that responds to the issues facing the Ateker region (Turkana & Karamoja) in a direct or abstract manner.

Through this the following productions have been released:

The Flyest Wedding in Africa (2019)

It is a collaborative sartorial series by Stephen Okoth (Picha Marangi) and Elizabeth Korikel, a translator and beading artist from Kamarase, Turkana. In early 2018 Picha Marangi, a photographer & stylist from Kibera travelled to Turkana on assignment. While in Turkana he met Elizabeth Korikel, a translator, beading artist & singer. The art project combines their love of bold, monochrome hues with Korikel’s statement jewellery and Okoth’s knack for redesigning second-hand clothing. The series is marked by Picha Marangi’s signature style of colourful outfits and saturated photos.

Floating Flying (2019)

This project is a collaboration of artists Margy Modo(Karamoja), Elizabeth Korikel (Turkana) and Chebet Mutai (Nairobi). Margy creates modern fashion inspired by her heritage and is also a talented beading artist. Elizabeth Korikel works on traditional Turkana and modern bead designs. Chebet Mutai from Nairobi works in leather to create bags and home décor items. Together they worked on Floating Flying a photostory story shot in and around Eliye, Lake Turkana.

Turkana Sessions (2022)

This is a 10-track live recorded music project undertaken by Content House Kenya. The project offers the listener a journey through Turkana's astounding culture and landscape. The breathtaking shores of Lake Turkana, the pyramid hills of Eliye and the grass flats of Kerio. It covers themes of courting, reconciliation, weddings, peace, losing livestock, beauty and how it transcends age, resources and diversity of Turkana. The project features Jackson Nakuwa, Mourine Apuu, Jackson Ekori, Elizabeth Korikel and Eddie Grey.

Turkana Sessions is the third project from the Artists Xchange which brings together artists from Turkana and Nairobi. It follows the series The Flyest Wedding in Africa and Floating Flying. The three are part of the feature documentary Turkana; Race for Resources to be released in 2023.

Out The Booth podcast had a conversation with Jackson Nakuwa and Mourine Apuu on their role in the creation of Turkana Sessions as well as their career as artists. You can listen to the episode here.

From it, you get to hear how Jackson Nakuwa AKA Msanii Tosha has matured as an artist and how his music has been a great influence among the Turkana people. Having kicked off his musical career in 2006 he has produced over 14 bodies of work. Some of the most popular ones include Binti Caro (2006) and Regina 2 (2008). Jackson uses his music as a way to preserve and educate people about his culture through sharing traditional customs mixed with various musical styles to suit different age groups. He is an expressive storyteller who shines through his music as you get to hear a unique but grounded perspective.

Mourine Apuu tells of how music has helped her express herself brazenly. The singer, stylist and business owner aims at empowering the Turkana youth to face their challenges in order to live more successful and positive lives. She says that the Turkana Sessions project has been greatly instrumental in changing the perceptions and stereotypes many hold regarding the Northern Kenya region. In addition to music, she runs her own website Apuu Zawadi which offers gifts and souvenirs from Turkana culture.

The Artists Xchange is a companion project of the feature documentary Turkana: Races for Resources released in 2020. Watch Behind The Scenes footage to get a glimpse into the wonders and splendours of Turkana and all that went into the development of Turkana Sessions.