INSAKA MOVES

Workshop with Mbene Mwambene (CH)

In Zambian and Malawian languages, “Insaka” refers to a multipurpose gathering place. It functions as a public court where disputes are resolved and justice is sought through collective dialogue, fostering democratic participation and social negotiation. The Insaka also offers a setting for mourning and memorials, a stage for dances and celebrations, and a platform for debates and storytelling. It is a deeply symbolic and culturally rich locus that embodies the essence of communal life, reflection, and human connection. Insaka follows a philosophy of openness, relation, and co-existence, where people come to see each other fully: in joy, in grief, in conflict, and in celebration. Rooted in the philosophy of Ubuntu—“I am because we are”—the Insaka embodies collective decision-making and shared storytelling.

Insaka Moves unfolds as a communal, story-driven, and varied performance practice involving acting, movement, writing, monologues, and poetry. Participants explore the relationship between body and memory. They are reminded that every body carries knowledge, and that dance and acting are relational. The workshop turns movement into conversation and creates spaces of presence, rhythm, and reciprocity. The process-oriented work emphasizes connection and cultural reflection rather than the perfection of performance skills. It is not geared toward a result.

Students are invited to engage with questions around racism and intersectionality. Guided by Ubuntu philosophy and based on embodied storytelling, collective creation, and intercultural awareness, this workshop supports research into identity, community, and decolonial practices. It encourages interdisciplinary work and local reinterpretations of Insaka. Mini, non-public performances offer a living archive of memory, emotion, and community—a space where education, art, and life converge.

Mbene Mwambene is a Zambian–Malawian actor, journalist, teacher, poet, theater director, storyteller, and dancer currently based in Bern, Switzerland. He is the first African to have been “granted the privilege” to study at Bern University of the Arts for a master’s degree in Expanded Theater. His solo The Story of a Tiger is an international success performed across theaters in Africa, Europe, and Asia. Mbene’s artistic work is mainly focused on post-colonial themes within and outside of theatrical settings. His professional acting life has revolved around interactive theatre, storytelling, improvised performances, singing, solo pieces, comedies, and body movement. Besides stage performances, Mbene facilitates workshops in prisons, schools, community spaces, and refugee camps in Africa and Europe.

Dates

• Saturday, April 25, 2026
• Sunday, April 26, 2026

Times tba.

Registration and Cost

The workshop is limited to 15 participants and is free of charge. If you are not a student and your budget allows, we welcome a donation of €25–50 to help cover costs. Please register by email: up@uni-hamburg.de

Supported by the 2025 Gender Equality Fund (Gleichstellungsfonds 2025).