Malakika Umwamahoro is a versatile artist, known for her seamless integration of talents in acting, poetry, directing, writing, and advocacy for social justice. Over the years, she has garnered recognition for her captivating performances across a diverse array of film and theatre productions. Born in Kigali, Malakika’s early life was shaped by both her personal narrative and the broader socio-political landscape of Rwanda. In this interview, she speaks to Ayoba News about her artistic journey, her motivations and legacy.
Can you tell us about your artistic journey and how you discovered your passion for acting, poetry, directing, writing, and advocacy for social justice?
I was born in a family of artists. My Grandmother is a tailor, my mother an interior designer, my uncles visual artists and my aunts performing artists. I was drawn to the arts at a very young age, and as soon as I could go to school and Sunday school as well, I began participating in talent shows, choirs and holiday plays that those institutions provided, scooping the main roles always. This is how my artistic journey began. I always loved to sing, dance and act and my family influenced that a lot. While in highschool in Rwanda, I joined Mashirika performing arts, Rwanda’s leading performing arts group, and began to tour the world with the group’s productions.
It was through Mashirika that I learned that Art could do more than entertain, but educate as well. This is part of how I became an activist, using my art to speak on important issues in the world.. As soon as I finished highschool, I began to pursue my own art through my poetry at SpokenWord Rwanda, a slam poetry platform in Rwanda, empowering poets and performers to express themselves.
In 2013, after a spoken word performance, I was awarded a Rwandan Presidential scholarship to study theater and performing arts at Fordham University in New York City, There I continued to sharpen my craft through classes and various productions, in and out of school. Some of the classes provided during my university included directing. This is where I picked up an interest and began to self direct my poetry performances and videos, and when the opportunities presented themselves during summer holidays back in Rwanda, I would direct national shows. This is how I have grown into the artist that I am.
How did growing up in Rwanda shape your perspective and influence your artistic work?
Mashirika performing arts was one of the leading performing arts groups in Rwanda.
When I joined Mashirika performing arts in 2005, I was part of a production called Africa’s Hope- This live production was about Rwanda’s journey to peace after surviving the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. This piece taught me that art could do more than entertain, art could educate, art could heal wounds, art could transform. And because art is so influential, adding an educational element to my art was key to me because it was an effective way for myself and my audiences to learn something. It was a lesson of service/giving back to my community and beyond, to be able to share my and my families and Rwandan experiences through my art and for them to see themselves in it.
Could you share some of your career highlights and achievements that have been significant in shaping your artistic identity?
Joining Mashirika performing arts and SpokenWord Rwanda, being awarded a Rwandan Presidential Scholarship and performing in theaters off broadway in New York like, Our Lady of Kibeho at Signature Theatres, Miracle in Rwanda at Theater Row and Cartography at New Victory theater and Dance Africa at BAM. Performing my own spoken word poetry at the UN headquarters in NY, Forbes Woman Africa in Durban SA, and AU headquarters in Addis Ababa Ethiopia.
How has your cultural fluency, having lived in both the United States and Rwanda, influenced your approach to your artistic endeavors?
Yes, but not only because of life in the US and Rwanda, but my experiences all over the world where I have had the opportunity to travel. Different countries in Africa, the UAE and beyond have given me a wider world view and influenced my art- really, it has shown me to make art that can speak to humans all over the world.
Your performance in the off-Broadway play “Miracle in Rwanda” earned you widespread acclaim and a nomination for Best Solo Performance at the VIV Awards. Can you describe the challenges and rewards of portraying multiple characters in a one-woman show?
It was a true honor to be able to use my body, voice and talent to embody the story of Immaculee Ilibagiza and how she survived the 1994 against the Genocide and learned about forgiveness during her suffering. I feel like through her, I too was able to truly learn about forgiveness in relation to my own life. To be able to share such a powerful story and embody so many women and men in Immaculee’s story, was challenging but it made me aware of how vast my range is as an actor physically, mentally and artistically.
As an advocate for social justice, how do you incorporate your beliefs and messages into your artistic work?
By making social topics part of my work, highlighting them through relevant story telling, captivating music, sounds and visuals and asking reflective questions.
Can you share any upcoming projects or future goals that you are excited about?
I’m currently working on 2 of my own audio visual albums. One is called Rhymes of Remembrance and is a collection of 5 poems telling a story of Rwanda before colonization up to today. And another one is called Black Sheep, which is an expression of myself as a versatile artist.
Lastly, what legacy do you hope to leave behind as an artist, and how do you hope to continue impacting the entertainment industry?
I hope to continue to show/revive the spirit of the true craft of art which is to be able to communicate important messages through thought provoking art that can educate, heal and transform audiences that come across my work.
