Using Indigenous Participatory Performance for Stimulating Dialogue on HIV/AIDS among Kenyan Youth: Creative Ngoma Dialogue Circles (CNDC) Communication Strategy

L. Majalia Mjomba

Bloomsburg University

The articel examines how NGOMA, local cultural performance in Kenya, could be used to stimulate dialogue on HIV/AIDS among young people. 

My study, which used both participatory and grounded theory approaches to formulate a Creative NGOMA Dialogue Circle (CNDC) communication strategy, is described and the results presented. Findings indicate that CNDC can help mobilize Kenyan youth from positin of MCHEZEWANGOMA, one who is a passive spectator during the Ngoma/dialogue, to become MCHEZANGOMA, an activated participant who takes part in the action.

 The use of WACHEMSHANGOMA (peer dialogue motivators [PDMs]) reduces the cultural distance between HIV/AIDS resource person and the youth. CNDC uses local languages appropriate to Kenyan youth, positively impacting its target audience