Harare – Tattoos are something you generally wouldn’t associate with Zimbabwean culture and even though they’re mildly accepted in certain circles, having a tattoo is something that will certainly get you a side eye from the more traditional Zimbos. Although you could say a tattoo subculture exists, somewhere there in a tiny corner of our urban culture, it’s something still very much on the sidelines. But event venue and creative space Emagumeni is here with something that will certainly shake those cultural boundaries. A first in Zimbabwe and another example of how Emagumeni isn’t just making a name for itself as a home for Entertainment & the Night Life but Urban Culture.
In partnership with Heineken Emagumeni Presents Zimbabwe’s first Tattoo Festival. An event to celebrate the subculture of tattoos while offering everyone the chance to get inked.
The day is set to feature not just tattoos but body piercings, body art, henna and a sip & paint sub-event themed to the occasion. The lineup of tattoo artists includes Lenore, Brown Dog Tattoos, Justine, Stay, Dope Boy, Atiya and 777th. The fest has promised a DJ lineup featuring some of Harare’s faves. The event is set to take place, this coming Sunday the 2nd of October, from 9 am – 11 pm at Emagumeni in Helensvale, Harare.
In discussing this event, Kuda Mangoma, the Creative Director of Emagumeni said it was initially his dream to open a tattoo parlour in Zimbabwe a few years ago. While waiting to realise this dream, his brother suggested hosting this event. The goal of the tattoo fest is to build and grow the tattoo community in Zimbabwe.
No small task!
“We aim to build and grow the tattoo community here, so we scouted some of the best tattoo artists in the country as their input and experience are vital.”
From the opening of an Art gallery, a co-working space in Pikicha Gallery; regular music concerts and now events like this. Emagumeni is well on its way to becoming an urban cultural centre.
The tattoo fest is free entry and you can pre-book your tattoo session by contacting the artist you’d like before the event.
