Edward Saidi Tingatinga, 1932–1972

Edward Saidi Tingatinga was the originator of the naive style of painting that would later take his name. He began painting in 1968, and although his career ended prematurely in 1972, his style inspired his five students and later followers to establish the Tingatinga School of Painters, which continues to flourish today.

In only three years, Tingatinga had earned a name for himself in Tanzanian art. Unlike most Tanzanian artists, who specialized in ebony sculpture, Tingatinga was a painter. He had no formal art training; his work emerged simply from a desire to express himself through hardboard, paint, and brush. His paintings were direct and accessible, focusing on familiar subjects.

Tingatinga painted animals, birds, people, and many other subjects. Born in 1932 in the remote village of Mindu in southern Tanzania’s Tunduru District, he received only two years of schooling. Like many peasant boys, he spent his early years helping at home, learning crafts, and cultivating the land.

In 1955, Tingatinga moved to Dar es Salaam in search of work. He found employment as a domestic servant in a colonial civil servant’s home, where he remained until Tanzanian independence in 1961. During those years, he observed government painters at work and became fascinated by their bright colors and brushwork. Although he longed to try painting, his duties left him no time.

After independence, painters from Zaire began selling inexpensive pictures in Dar es Salaam. This revived Tingatinga’s desire to paint. He obtained household paint and a brush, found a piece of ceiling board, and created his first picture — which sold for 10 shillings outside the Morogoro Stores. Encouraged, he continued painting and soon upgraded his materials.

Tingatinga later worked as a nursing assistant at Muhimbili Hospital while painting in his free time. At home in Msasani, he lived with his wife and two children and painted whenever he could.

Shortly before his death, the National Arts Council exhibited his work in their city-center gallery and again at the 1971 Saba Saba International Trade Fair. This exposure led to a contract with the Council, who supplied materials and handled sales.

Tingatinga felt he was far from a polished artist, saying: “All the same they are good; this is why people buy them. They must somehow be meaningful.”

Today, Tingatinga’s paintings are widely known and increasingly sought after.

Source: “Tinga Tinga, the popular paintings from Tanzania”, Y. Goscinny; J.A.R. Wembah-Rashid in African Arts, 1972