Ugali

It’s known as Funji in Angola, Nshima in Zambia, pap, Mealie-meal or Sadza in other parts of Southern Africa and even in Italy as Polenta. Ugali as it’s known in East Africa is maize flour cooked in water to form a thick porridge like dish. It’s commonly eaten with Sukuma Wiki (Kale) +/- meat stew and/or Nyama Choma (roasted meat)

Best way to eat Ugali is to grab…well not grab but pull a small portion of it, roll it into a ball in your palm and dip it in the stew/choice accompaniment.

Here are our fresh new tees to celebrate that Ugali goodness..

So hey what other names are there for Ugali especially in sheng?

To place an order send an email to chillimangodesigns@gmail.com and find us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/ChilliMangoKE or twitter http://www.twitter.com/ChilliMangoKE to keep updated on the events/fairs we’ll be attending.

Here’s an Afro treat for all you Afro beat & Fela fans: http://www.mixcloud.com/djkmart/fela-tributemix/

Easy Rahisi Mabati Laini – Fabric Meets Metal

On this lovely sunny Sunday afternoon, we set out with the amazing photographer @kevjapicha to a junkyard located somewhere at Dagoretti Corner, Off Ngong Road. We were going for a grungy, high-contrast, rustic look and the junk as a backdrop offered just that.

Our intention was to show that there’s beauty in junk and that good things do come from Africa. The biggest misconception about this awesome continent is that it has nothing but darkness to offer which is farthest from the truth. From the clothing, to the people, to the colorful buildings and bustling Matatus (mode of public transport) you’ll notice that this is the most colorful continent and not just in terms of tones and shades alone.

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All these pieces, Tees, Khanga/Leso Hoodies & Sweatshirts, are available for purchase. They come in a variety to of size and colors to choose from. Just send your order to chillimangodesigns@gmail.com.

It was an adventure and we all had a blast! Even out of his comfort zone Kev, a documentary photographer did an amazing job.

The owner of the property (below) was gracious enough to model in a ChilliMango Neon Mask tee.

Doesn’t he look like a don though?

To see more Kev’s work, just head off here: http://kevjapicha.wordpress.com. Behind-the-scenes pictures will be up soon here ChilliMangoKE

Special shout out and huge thank you to these guys for making this a great experience; @kevjapicha, @kahawajunkie, @njewwy, @jemmyjemz, @nairobidhobi, @Bryant_EM, @mercynguyo and Alexander Alaka. It was such fun working with this bunch man. Hope to do it again.

This post was ongezwad ‘sugar, spice and everything nice’ by writer extraordinaire @mwikalilati. Ahsante.

African Gothic

The hardest part of this whole process isn’t about coming up with the designs, it’s about coming up with the post to go along with it. So this time I invited a friend, @breadboo, to help. Here’s what she said;

“Of the American Gothic, Grant Wood said he decided to paint the house with “the kind of people I fancied should live in that house”…

The African Gothic here is with the kind of people that live in the African Hut under the African Sun.

The spray can continues the tale of ChilliMango’s fascination with African Culture/Tradition’s coexistence with Technology/Modernity.”

Thanks @breadboo.

My bit (which hopefully doesn’t suck too much): I guess if you know the American Gothic, then I don’t really need to explain what inspired this design. Initially, the spray can was meant to be a spear but that would’ve been the cliché of the century don’t you think? No? Oh well…

The design..

 

The tees. .

Kindly send your orders to chillimangodesigns@gmail.com.

ChilliMango Posters and Stickers  will go on sale beginning of March. Full details coming your way real soon.

For those who don’t know, some of our stuff can be found at the United store (Rugby Shop) at Nakumatt Junction. Thanks for your continued support. Amani na Baraka

Current listen: http://www.mixcloud.com/heavysoulbrutha/dangelo-live-stockholm-sweden-2000/

Oh and check out @antoneosoul’s dope jam, Qwerty love:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpmoPoes_Hw&sns=fb

Home Is

Around the same time I came up with the ‘Ati?’ design, I sketched the following designs. It was quite bland so I shelved it for about 10 months and decided to revisit and tweak it recently. Here’s how it took shape after numerous sketches…

Disclaimer: The following sentence will contain a bunch of (OK just one..two..) design references.

And now, the final design after tracing, tweaking and all that other good stuff in Adobe Illustrator.

And finally the tees…

T-shirts will be available in a variety of colors depending on availability. To place your order send an email to chillimangodesigns@gmail.com.

Come check out our Merch and enjoy live Music, Poetry & much more every last Sunday of the month at the Kinanda Arts Festival.

Hip Hop lovers enjoy.. Jeru The Damaja – Ya Playing Yourself  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8e76XpXD1o

Techno-Africana or something that sounds cool like that….

Have you taken the time to study how the African culture & tradition has to coexist with technology? Is it not fascinating?

I was introduced to Blackalicious, a hip hop duo, in 2003-2004 and their album cover (Blazing Arrow) just blew me away as did the music. It had a couple of Maasais either carrying a crate of LPs or just with headphones on. Just Brilliant!!!

Blazing Arrow Album Cover

Therefore, for two months I have been trying to come up with some cool designs that sort of have that feel of balance between African culture & technology. Our roots, our history makes us who we are…. African!

So I give you two new designs; Usawa & Boombox Maasai. Usawa is Swahili for balance/equilibrium…

Remember, to order simply email chillimangodesigns@gmail.com or call 0720-228766.

Listen to: Chemical Calisthenics – Blackalicious (These dudes are brilliant!!)

Out-of-the-blues Photoshoots

Recently a couple of friends met in a tiny apartment up a hill. Here are the results of a very random photo shoot… All the clothes are available on order: 0720-228766 or 0735-228765 or email, chillimangodesigns@gmail.com

Your opinions and suggestions as always are welcome.