Our Story
Sensory Swahili is a platform dedicated to curating dinners and sharing stories centered around traditional food practices. Founded with a passion for preserving and celebrating Swahili culture, we create immersive experiences that bring together people from diverse backgrounds to share food, stories, and culture. Our events also feature various forms of art, such as photography, poetry, and videos, to enhance the communal experience. Our goal is to bring a sense of home to everyone and cultivate new friendships.
Our Mission
In the face of urbanization, climate change, and migration, traditional cuisines are at risk of being forgotten. At Sensory Swahili, our mission is to bridge this gap by sharing the stories of farmers who grow our food and the cooks who prepare it. We invite them to join us at the dining table, where we enjoy the food together, fostering a deeper connection to our culinary heritage.
Our Approach
We incorporate all the senses—hearing, smelling, tasting, seeing, and touching—into our practices, fully immersing our guests in Swahili culture. This holistic approach is reflected in our name, Sensory Swahili.
Our Team
Founded by Rhoda Henry, a Curator and Arts Manager, Sensory Swahili is driven by a passion for preserving and celebrating Swahili culture, we create immersive experiences that bring together people from diverse backgrounds to share food, stories, and culture.
Rhoda Kambenga
Founder, Cook & Curator
Rhoda Henry Kambenga is an Art Manager and Curator, born in Dodoma Tanzania. Growing up in a diverse neighbourhood it’s where she grew her interest in learning about different cultures and how they shape the society.
Hizzer Haizer
Web & AR Designer
Hizzer Haizer is a freelance visual artist, content creator, and digital marketing enthusiast from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. His work intersects the digital and traditional mediums & he uses Augmented Reality (AR) to create immersive experiences.
Clara Bayo
Assistant Curator
A multi-passionate creative with roots in finance, beauty, food, arts and culture. As part of “from shamba to sahani” project, I had the joy of co-curating stories that celebrate swahili heritage and cuisine. The project has been a meaningful way to honor my roots and share richness of our culture through food with a wider audience.
Abdallah Mambia
Photographer
Abdallah Mambia is a freelance media producer with over 6 years of experience of working with a range of local and international organizations. His skillset ranges from script writing, directing, filming and editing films and animations.
Scolastica Sultan
Cook & Curator
Scolastica Sultan is a cake artist who uses cake sculptures to tell different stories. She believes baking is beyond making delicious products, cake art can be used to convey different messages and bring people together as they savor yummy cakes.
Nickson Jerome
Artist/Graphics Designer
Nickson Jerome is a visual artist and graphic designer based in Arusha, Tanzania. Specialized in both traditional and digital mediums, Nickson creates illustrations and graphic designs that blend creativity and technical skills.
Ahmed Maubaka
Artist
Ahmed M Mohamed, artistically known as Medy Maubaka, is a locally acclaimed painter, graffiti artist, puppeteer and designer. Medy is part of the renowned Tanzanian graffiti crew known as WACHATA that resides in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Anthony Mwango
Artist
Anthony is a Tanzanian artist and educator with a passion for blending traditional and digital art. With over a decade of teaching experience, he has worked in schools and community centers to nurture creativity in children. As the founder of Creative Child in Education and Sanaa Kwetu Events, he actively promotes art as a tool for skill development and community engagement.