THE MARRIAGE OF MARIAMU

STARRING:

 Amandina Lihamba as "Mariamu"

Godwin Kaduma as "Sekondo"

and Thecla Mjatta as "Mariamu's Aunt"
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ORDER  THIS FILM

Arusi Ya Mariamu/ The Marriage of Mariamu is the first Tanzanian-American co-production, made by TFC, the national film company of Tanzania and Ron Mulvihill.  The film was co directed by Ron and Nangayoma Ng'oge.  ARUSI is a dramatic short based on the life of patient, Mariamu and her interaction with the traditional Mganga (HEALER). The film centers around the art and science of healing through traditional medicine and is set in contemporary Tanzania

 "We found ARUSI YA MARIAMU to be a gripping drama and an effective teaching tool for discussion of possession and African concepts of the spiritual world. Additionally it does not use the misleading term 'witchdoctor'."                                Edward Lifschitz,                  Curator of Education,                                       Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Art

 

WHAT IS A MGANGA?

The Mganga or Traditional Healer in ARUSI YA MARIAMU was named Simba Mbili (Two Lions). He practiced traditional medicine in the Karogwe region of Tanzania. Using nature as his source and also as his hospital, he treated a variety of ailments and hosted patients around and in areas of medicinal plants and trees--locations intended to heal specific ailments.  Traditional medicine is a holistic treatment that seeks to heal the body, mind and soul. Unless all three of these aspects are treated, healing cannot take place.

"The healer (in the film) is portrayed by a real traditional doctor named Simba Mbili...The film treatment is in the mode of documentary. The performances are incredibly unaffected.
                         - New York Times Review, Television Premiere
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*** AWARDS FOR ARUSI ***

First Place - Nat'l Educational Film Festival (US, '85)

Best Short Film - Pan African Film Festival (FESPACO '85)

Organization of African Unity (OAU) (FESPACO, '85)

Journalists and Critics Award (FESPACO, '85)

Int'l Organization of Catholic Cinema (FESPACO, '85)

First Prize - Best Ethnographic Short, (Amiens, FR, '86)

WNET/13 Independent Focus Series, Broadcast (NYC, '87)

INPUT (Int'l Public TV Selection, US rep) ('88)

Best Short-Frontline Film Festival, (Harare, Zimbabwe, '90)

Best Actress - Frontline Film Festival, (Zimbabwe, '90)

Best Music Score - Frontline Film Festival, (Zimbabwe, '90)

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