The Pikabom Puppet Show

Wed, 09/05/2012 - 13:27

1 comment

The Pikabom puppet show is designed to capture the imagination of the public by using satire to highlight socio-political issues in Tanzania. The 20-minute show was launched on Star TV in July 2012, and is also available for download via You Tube. The Pikabom Puppet show is produced by the Dhamira Communicating Artists company, with support from the Tanzania Media Fund.

Communication Strategies

In October 2010, the Tanzania Media Fund supported Dhamira Communicating Artists to travel to Nairobi to learn technical and production and puppet making skills. To produce the show puppeteers gather and research information about issues topical to Tanzanians. The goal is to entertain and make people laugh, while informing them about issues that directly affect them. It is also designed to give different artists an opportunity to expose their talents.

According to Dhamira Communicating Artists, the project gets support from government officials, ordinary people, and from civil society organisations (CSOs), who often suggest what to improve and which subjects to tackle.

Dhamira Communicating Artists secured a contract with Sahara Communications Limited, owners of Star TV, to broadcast the shows. The programmes are aired every Monday at 9:20 pm and are repeated on Sundays at 12:30 pm. The shows are also uploaded on YouTube so people can also view them on the internet.

Development Issues

Governance

Key Points

Dhamira Communicating Artists is a multimedia House whose principle activity is design, production of films, and publication of magazines. Dhamira works to use the power of the media to reach, educate, and entertain audiences, and contribute to the spreading of information and knowledge. Dhamira produced a radio comedy show, Uncle Kochikochi, which is currently being run aired by RFI, Kiss Fm, and other regional and district radio stations. Dhamira Communicating Artists also composes, designs, and produces the following: cartoons and illustrations, books, magazines, journals and other periodicals, general artwork, animated films and documentaries, web design and web animation, music productions, and advertising concepts.