Residents of the southern Malawi district of Chikhwawa braved sweltering sunshine to marvel at life-saving artistic performances during Kafukufuku Arts Festival organised by Malawi-Liverpool-Welcome Trust (MLW).
The ‘festival in the sun’ is part of the Art in Global Health Research, which harnesses entertainment to create a platform for people to know MLW and its health research.
The performances also included debates on various health issues. Contemporary visual artist Elson Kambalu led artists in spreading the gospel of well-being.Â
Other performers included Soldier Lucius Banda, Lulu and Agorosso.
Early this year, MLW engaged Kambalu as an artist-in-residence for the programme that explores the gaps between traditional and modern medicine that influence health research.
 “I will combine different methods—drama, photography, poetry, music and exhibitions—to tackle the themes of blood, consent, men’s involvement in health issues, language barriers in research, attitudes, distance and traditional medicine,†said Kambalu.
MLW science communications officer Tamara Chipasula said similar projects are happening in the UK, Kenya, South Africa, Thailand and Vietnam.
She said in the Kafukufuku project artists are translating research findings into art work to inform, educate and entertain the masses who cannot grasp the jaw-breaking jargon which typifies medical
language.
