Sights & Sounds: Wairimũ Nduba

Nov 4, 2022

Common Discourse is a project designed to help others (and ourselves) think through creativity, focus, and intentional work—from Alex Tan & Alice Otieno.

Every Tuesday we share words from a few ideas, a quote from somebody else, and links worth sharing. On Fridays we invite a guest to share images from their camera roll and a sound that resonates with them. Words from the journal will come at least twice a month.

Wairimũ Nduba is Kenyan based creative working primarily through the mediums of research, music history and curation. Her work focuses on the nuanced intersectionality within Kenyan music, and is grounded on the idea of research being playful, immersive and a collective endeavour. Her research seeks to unify cinema, photography, and adornment as a central part of African musical histories.

At the forefront of her curatorial practice is the online archival platform, Wer Jokenya, which she founded in 2019.

I connected with Wairimũ not too long ago via are.na, and from there came across Wer Jokenya. When I reached out to her to be a part of this week’s Sights & Sounds, I expressed how I’ve been finding much solace through all that she shares.

Having recently visited [Kenya], my mind has been preoccupied with how one can continue to stay rooted and connected with their country of origin from a distance. I’ve been one to hold onto the idea that home is found within, but after my most recent visit, I’ve come to realise that there’s something to be said about reconnecting physically with your heritage and native country.

Over the last couple weeks, I’ve been able to renew and sustain that connection through Wairimũ‘s research, playlists and images that provide glimpses of everyday life back home.

Here’s what she shared with us this week.

— Alice.

*Captured this while I was on the on the road in Nairobi. The image served as a reminder to give people their flowers as often as possible.*

Sights —

Sounds —

Thanks for consuming!

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