Goethe-Zentrum Kampala holds female DJ workshop

This insight was gleaned from a workshop dubbed Mirembe Rhythm, organised last week by Goethe-Zentrum Kampala in partnership with Santuri Africa's female DJing outfit, Femme Electronic.

The event, which took place at the Square in Kampala, was conducted by Femme Electronic co-founder DJ Rachael, as well as German DJ Sarah Farina and producer Yo van Lenz.

Goethe-Zentrum Kampala director Barbara Sommer said the aim of the event was to encourage cultural exchange.

“We decided to give especially women the opportunity to learn more about DJing in a workshop. The creative atmosphere gave women in Uganda who want to be DJs a platform to connect with each other and create a network of mutual support,” she said.

Farina said the workshop was a great opportunity for the women involved to gain confidence and to pursue what they're interested in, as well as to foster relationships between female DJs in the music scene.

“We discovered some really talented DJs and we have connected with them already,” she said. “The workshop was very touching for me, especially to have the opportunity to empower other females with DJing and music production skills. We have got all the contacts and will definitely keep in touch.”

Farina promised to facilitate a cultural exchange programme between Uganda and Europe.

“We shall exchange, collaborate and support if we can in some way. We are aware that it’s very hard for DJs here to get equipment,” she said.

“So we are happy to make connections for those people who are interested, so that they can get all the stuff they need in order to become the artist they want to be.”

DJ Rachael was pleased that a good number of upcoming DJs attended the event. “The Femme Electronic workshop, alongside Farina and Lenz, was amazing. The turnout was good, and the reception from the girls that attended was cool as they were all very willing to learn. We shall continue training them and create a new era of female DJs.”

Ugandan electronic music artist DJ Kampire told Music In Africa that the few women who have taken up this genre have redefined themselves to become a force to be reckoned with on the local scene.

However, she feels that the industry remains male-dominated.

“Even though the number of DJs producing electronic music in Kampala has mounted to meet the demands of consumers, a majority of whom are the youth, I firmly believe that women’s position in electronic music is unequal to that of men,” she said.

Mirembe Rhythm was part of an annual Goethe-Zentrum Kampala cultural exchange programme between German and Ugandan artists. Last year, Goethe-Zentrum Kampala held the Your Music Your Voice programme, which brought together German and African music activists.