Reclaiming Our time (2021)

RECLAIMING OUR TIME was a 5.5 hour gathering with stories and performances by artists from all corners of the art world and the world: from opera singers from South Africa to braiders from Amsterdam Zuidoost, from young spoken word artists to a powerful gospel choir and much more. 

The length of the event was determined by the time it takes to braid kinky hair, a practice and art form that has stood the test of time and is kept alive (mainly by Black women) within the African diaspora. A reclaiming of time that Black women have lost over the years because they had no say in their time, had to explain themselves all the time, or worked more to earn the same wage as someone else. 

For this 5.5 hour gathering, Djuwa was the concept developer, presenter, spoken word artist and pianist. She also did a large part of the production and marketing - from coming up with the campaign image and generating attention on social media to writing scripts.

Djuwa and countertenor Arturo den Hartog performed musical compositions. Other contributions came from inspiring young artists such as theatre maker Jasmine van Putten, DJ Deborah X, all-round performance artist Cherella Gessel, word artist Kalib Batta, actress Serah Doku with a monologue by playwright Pelumi Adejumo, the Zo! Gospel Choir and the South African composer Neo Muyanga, Pianist Irina Sisoyeva, Celebrated mezzo-soprano Katia Ledoux performed several songs and promising tenors Zwakele Tshabalala and Makudu Senaoana sang songs.

The braiders associated with this event are: 

Daphne Baloe (DaffieBeProud), Alayda Belfor, Yara Forster (Golden Giraffe Beauty), Cherella Gessel, Merci Lie-sem, Shainomy (SavvStyle) and Soraya Mulala (Sukistyling) and Shanice Starke (The Golden Braids).