Manifestation of traditional African cultural performances in African firms: the case study of Tanzania feature films; Aerusi ya Mariamu and Maangamizi: the ancient one

Many African filmmakers claim certain aspects of the authentic traditional artistic canons of their indigenous societies as resources of inspiration to their work. This study aimed at finding manifestation of traditional cultural performance in Tanzania feature films. It takes as care studies two films; Arusi ya Mariamu and Mangamizi: The Ancient One and critically analyzes the artistic canons that inform both formal and content of the films. The survey method was used, where by documentary, questionnaire, group discussion and interview questions and interview questions were prepared and administered to 30 film viewers in Boko village, Kinondoni Municipality, of Dar es salaam. The study found that the two films, Arusi ya Mariamu (1985) and Manganizi: The Ancient One (1998) have evidently manifested various African traditional cultural performance and, thus, comply with African authentic traditional artistic canons. the study recommends the African filmmakers to incorporate more African traditions in their films so as to have storage of these for future generations and for the identity. It also recommends African Films scholars to engage on the studies that analyze African cultural heritage in African films since they are not viewed in same way as they are viewed in the traditional cultural performances in our societies. This will make the African people whom the filmmakers intends to summon, and communicate about various facets of their struggle to also able to communicate back, show and lead the way to that struggle.