PAMOJA TUNAWEZA: TOGETHER, WE CAN
This is our motto: unity is our central value. Our team is our family: we support each other both as artists and as people, sharing the good times and the hard times.
Photography credit to Sabine Skiba.
Safari Beja
Chairman
Safari “Barro” Beja is one of the group’s two chairmen. He was born in Mtwapa in Kilifi County and started his acrobatics career when he was only 10 years old, as acrobatics ran in his family. Balancing his time between school and practicing acrobatics, Safari eventually went to Ukunda at the age of 18. He stayed with three of his brothers and some of his friends and continued his training, becoming very successful. Hired to tour internationally for two years, he performed in different cities in China, then came back to his home country, Kenya. Barro’s role in the group is that of a mkandaji, which means he is usually positioned at the top of the pyramid.
Shukrani Kachererwa Mato
Vice-Chairman
Shukrani Mato is also known as “Dume,” which means “man.” He was born in Shariani in Kilifi and has been practicing acrobatics since he was young, taught by his brothers and friends. When he was 21, he went to Ukunda to join some friends who were performing as acrobats. He is a cousin of Josphat and Charo. Shukrani is very happy to see his dream of working as an acrobat come true. He is positioned at the center of the pyramid and is also skilled in the Chinese pole show. Shukrani has performed in local south coast hotels, including Diani Sea Lodge, Neptune, Pinewood, and Leopard Beach.
Dickson Charo Kazungu
Secretary
Dickson Charo Kazungu, nicknamed “Badizo,” was born in Shariani village in Kilifi. He is the secretary of the group. Dickson discovered his acrobatic talent as a young student in school, just as his brothers did. He started performing in hotels on the north coast, such as Mombasa Beach, Northcoast Beach, Nyali Beach, and the Mnarani and Casaurina clubs. Later on, he went to Ukunda to join his friends, and due to his previous experience, he was quickly able to perform in the area. Dickson works as both mkandaji and mtu wa pati za kati kati, the center man. He is the brother of Tetez.
Michael Chengo Kombe
Vice-Secretary
Michael Chengo Kombe, also known as “Micha,” was born at Mtwapa in Kilifi. He went to Ukunda when he was 22 and is identified by many as an artist by nature. Michael’s talent in performance is characterized by his body shape and charisma. Having toured China for two years and performed in hotels along the coast, his experience as a performer is extensive. His role is that of a mkandaji, and he is a brother of Barro.
Fitina Mramba Katana
Treasurer
Fitina Mramba Katana, also known as “Yela Yela,” was born in Shariani in Kilifi County. He is one of the group’s treasurers. Fitina was unable to finish school as a result of the passing of his father, who was the breadwinner for his family. He went to Ukunda at the age of 20, having already practiced acrobatics, and joined up with his colleagues to finish his training. Then, he began performing acrobatics locally and internationally. For nine months, he performed acrobatics in Iran. Yela’s role is that of a beba, the man at the bottom of the pyramid who provides stability to the formation. His brother, Fikirini, is also part of the group.
Douglas Tunje Kilimo
Vice-Treasurer
Douglas Tunje Kilimo was born and raised in an artistic family: both his parents were traditional dancers. While he was a young boy, he embraced and loved the culture, and his parents performed in hotels to earn their living and pay for his school fees. He used to practice with friends, and when he finished school, he joined them in Ukunda to practice acrobatics, performing in many hotels and other venues. Willy and Douglas are cousins. He performs mostly as a center man and sometimes also as balancing man.
ERESTUS KAZUNGU
Member
Erestus Kazungu is also known as Tetez. He was born in Kilifi and came to Ukunda when he was 19. He identifies as an artist through and through, as his parents were also artists, specializing in traditional drumming, dancing, and cabaret. Tetez thus grew up surrounded by and exposed to music and performance. “It came to me automatically; it is part of my culture,” he explains. After he finished school, he joined his brothers in Ukunda. They were making a living there as both fishermen and performers in hotels. Tetez has toured internationally in Mexico, Israel, Peru, and other locations. Tetez is also a mkandaji, positioned at the top of the pyramid. He is also skilled in the Chinese pole show.
Fikirini Mramba Katana
Member
Fikirini Mramba, also known as “FK,” was born in Shariani village in Kilifi and is the brother of Fitina. Like his brother, he was affected by the passing of his father. As the firstborn in the family, he searched for small jobs to help his mother and siblings. One day, he came across an acrobatics team performing and admired the way they displayed their different skills and styles. After the show was over, he approached the members of the group and asked them to give him a chance to join. “That was brilliant, and I am interested in this work!” FK said to them. Because of that moment, his passion for acrobatics was ignited, and he now enjoys performing as a skilled acrobat. He moved to Ukunda in 2010, and has performed with his friends in different hotels including Palm Wood Hotel, Leopard Beach Hotel, and Diani Sea Resort, among others. His role is that of mkandaji, positioned at the top of the group, and he also performs the Chinese pole show.
Charo Rua Kalama
Member
Charo Rua, better known as “King Aloz,” was born in Kilifi and came to Ukunda when he was 16 years old. There, he was exposed to acrobatics and watched young people practicing. He was inspired by what he saw and longed to join the crew and become an artist. “I chose this career because I love the work and it provides me with opportunities to realize my goals,” he says. Charo is a center man and a balancing man, assuming roles in the middle and at the bottom of the pyramid. He has toured India and Turkey and many locations in Kenya, including Nairobi Westgate. He is a cousin of Josphat and Shukrani.
Josphat Kazungu Kalume
Member
Josphat Kazungu, also called “Elephant Man,” was born in Kilifi and came to Ukunda at the age of 20. Josphat grew up as an artist as his parents were also artists specializing in traditional dancing and cabaret. After discovering his talent, he joined his brothers, who were performing in hotels as acrobats and also working as fishermen. Charo and Shukrani are his cousins. Josphat has performed in many different hotels locally, such as Leopard Beach, Diani Reef, Papillon Lagoon Reef, and Neptune. He works as a balancing man in the pyramid.
HarrisoN Chidida Jarumani
Member
Harrison was born in Kilifi in 1996. His stage name is Bazinga. He came to Diani in 2018 and studied acrobatics with his three brothers, who are also working as acrobats. He then started performing in 2019 with the group Zampa Quiz. He joined Diani Mambo Acrobats in 2023. He chose to work in acrobatics because he feels that it is the best kind of work for him. He enjoys the opportunity to meet other acrobats and many different people. Harrison is a beba, standing at the bottom of the pyramid and supporting the other acrobats.
Stephen “Bolo” Sifa
Member
Stephen, whose stage name is Bolo, was born in Mtwapa in 1987. He started working as an acrobat when he was 20 years old. He studied acrobatics in Mtwapa with friends and came to Diani in 2008. Before he worked with Diani Mambo he performed with Zampa Quiz. Stephen worked internationally in India and in Egypt, for a total of three years. He is a mgandaji, situated at the top of the pyramid.
Kadenge Shida Ngonyo
Member
Kadenge Shida Ngonyo was born and raised in Malindi, Kilifi. He later moved to Ukunda when he was 10. Kadenge realized his talent in acrobatics when he was in school, participating in games like the high jump. This helped him to create more time to practice gymnastics. His friends convinced him to join their group because he was a talented performer. Thereafter, he started performing in hotels such as Neptune Hotel, Diani Sea Resort, Papillon Lagoon Reef, and Leopard Beach Hotel. He toured internationally in Nigeria. He performs in the role of the “balancing man.”