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Dzulo Lathu
(Our Yesterday)
Mixed Media Exhibition
DATE
November 2026 – November 2027
LOCATION
Pabwalo, National Library
Lilongwe, Malawi
PRICE
Free
FORMAT
Mixed Media Exhibition
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Dzulo Lathu (Our Yesterday) is an immersive installation exploring communal memory, oral tradition, and cultural identity through the living archive of Malawian folk music. Rooted in the traditions of collective song, storytelling, and gathering, the project reflects on how communal cultural practices shift as communities move from rural village life into increasingly urban and digitally mediated environments.
Using interactive installation, sound, AR activation, and physical craft, the work transforms archival folk songs into a shared contemporary experience, reconnecting audiences with traditions that are increasingly at risk of disappearing.
At the centre of the installation is a full scale communal hut and interactive fire sculpture, inspired by the traditional gathering spaces where songs, rituals, teaching, and oral histories were historically shared. Surrounding the space, AR activated artworks, archival recordings, traditional instruments, and listening stations invite visitors into layered encounters with Malawian musical heritage.
ABOUT
THE PROJECT
Dzulo Lathu (Our Yesterday) is an immersive installation exploring communal memory, oral tradition, and cultural identity through the living archive of Malawian folk music. Rooted in the traditions of collective song, storytelling, and gathering, the project reflects on how communal cultural practices shift as communities move from rural village life into increasingly urban and digitally mediated environments.
Using interactive installation, sound, AR activation, and physical craft, the work transforms archival folk songs into a shared contemporary experience, reconnecting audiences with traditions that are increasingly at risk of disappearing.
At the centre of the installation is a full scale communal hut and interactive fire sculpture, inspired by the traditional gathering spaces where songs, rituals, teaching, and oral histories were historically shared. Surrounding the space, AR activated artworks, archival recordings, traditional instruments, and listening stations invite visitors into layered encounters with Malawian musical heritage.
ABOUT THE ARCHIVE
Based in Lilongwe, Malawi, Music Crossroads Malawi supports the development of musical talent and the preservation of sound-based heritage.
The selected archive, The Malawi Folksong Project is a collection of 217 traditional songs passed down through generations, carrying stories of community, ritual, and identity, and forming the basis of an evolving sound archive.
Matthew Chawinga
Creative Lead
Matthew is a Creative Director, 3D and VFX artist specializing in cinematic visuals, motion design, and storytelling through animation. His work focuses on bold concepts and clean execution to elevate stories and brands.
Laura Schuerwegen
Creative Producer
Laura Schuerwegen is an interdisciplinary creative and producer working across art, culture, and social impact. Her work weaves storytelling, collaboration, and place-based practice into projects that imagine more humane and regenerative futures.
Roosevelt Kasimba Mwandira
Lead Technologist
Roosevelt is a passionate XR/Game developer who brings ideas to life through interactive experiences. His games have been played by thousands worldwide and watched by millions, fueled by creativity and immersive storytelling.
Andrew Jere Kanthiti
Trainee Assistant Producer
Andrew Kanthiti is a Zomba-based cultural manager and Operations Manager at Zomba Arts Platform, overseeing project delivery, partnerships, and major initiatives. He is also an active music producer, DJ, and singer-songwriter.
Andrew Chilonga
Cinematic Vision and Production Lead
Andrew Chilonga is a professional videographer and video editor from Malawi with over 12 years of experience. He specializes in shooting, editing, and color grading for documentaries, music videos, and digital content.
Thandiwe Phiri
Digital Illustrator
Thandiwe is a multidisciplinary artist and graphic designer based in Blantyre, Malawi. She bridges art with design and showcases Malawian culture in her work.
Chikondi Nkhoma
Assistant Technologist
Chikondi Nkhoma is a software engineer working at the intersection of games, immersive technologies, and storytelling. She is a writer focused on culture, narrative, and impact.
Christopher Ngalu
Designer
Kris Base (Chris Ngalu) is an award-winning Malawian designer and founder of the streetwear label BASE—Bold Afrikans Striving for Excellence. His Afro-futurist, multidisciplinary practice fuses African heritage, craft, and sustainability to tell bold social and cultural stories through fashion.
Kas Mdoka
Visual Artist and Animator
Kas Mdoka is a multidisciplinary artist from Salima, Malawi, whose self-taught figurative practice captures intimate scenes of everyday African life through an existential lens.
ABOUT THE ARTISTIC TEAM
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ABOUT THE ARTISTIC TEAM
Matthew Chawinga
Creative Lead
Matthew is a Creative Director, 3D and VFX artist specializing in cinematic visuals, motion design, and storytelling through animation. His work focuses on bold concepts and clean execution to elevate stories and brands.
Laura Schuerwegen
Creative Producer
Laura Schuerwegen is an interdisciplinary creative and producer working across art, culture, and social impact. Her work weaves storytelling, collaboration, and place-based practice into projects that imagine more humane and regenerative futures.
Roosevelt Kasimba Mwandira
Lead Technologist
Roosevelt is a passionate XR/Game developer who brings ideas to life through interactive experiences. His games have been played by thousands worldwide and watched by millions, fueled by creativity and immersive storytelling.
Andrew Jere Kanthiti
Trainee Assistant Producer
Andrew Kanthiti is a Zomba-based cultural manager and Operations Manager at Zomba Arts Platform, overseeing project delivery, partnerships, and major initiatives. He is also an active music producer, DJ, and singer-songwriter.
Andrew Chilonga
Cinematic Vision and Production Lead
Andrew Chilonga is a professional videographer and video editor from Malawi with over 12 years of experience. He specializes in shooting, editing, and color grading for documentaries, music videos, and digital content.
Thandiwe Phiri
Digital Illustrator
Thandiwe is a multidisciplinary artist and graphic designer based in Blantyre, Malawi. She bridges art with design and showcases Malawian culture in her work.
Chikondi Nkhoma
Assistant Technologist
Chikondi Nkhoma is a software engineer working at the intersection of games, immersive technologies, and storytelling. She is a writer focused on culture, narrative, and impact.
Christopher Ngalu
Designer
Kris Base (Chris Ngalu) is an award-winning Malawian designer and founder of the streetwear label BASE—Bold Afrikans Striving for Excellence. His Afro-futurist, multidisciplinary practice fuses African heritage, craft, and sustainability to tell bold social and cultural stories through fashion.
Kas Mdoka
Visual Artist and Animator
Kas Mdoka is a multidisciplinary artist from Salima, Malawi, whose self-taught figurative practice captures intimate scenes of everyday African life through an existential lens.