Pungulu Pa Productions held the first edition of Pungulu Party! Children’s Festival at the Parade Ring, Ngong Race Course, inspired by the beloved Uli & Tata African Nursery Rhymes animated series.
The festival brought African culture and heritage to life through an immersive, family-friendly experience.
The inaugural edition drew over 400 attendees, who enjoyed a rich blend of music, art, storytelling, dance, workshops and interactive experiences.
The festival brought the world of Uli & Tata to life with a dynamic blend of screening, curated by the Zamaleo Storytellers, transforming the space into a magical fusion of cinema and drum circle, where children sang, clapped and moved along to the rhythms. This energy carried into a colourful puppet show by Buni Media’s Matata and Friends, sparking laughter and imagination across the audience.
The excitement was amplified by the presence of Uli & Tata’s lead voice actors: John Sibi-Okumu who voices the bird Tuki and Fadhilee, who voices Tata, along with key members of the production team, including music director of the series Fancy Fingers.
Chief Nyamweya, Creative Director of Uli & Tata’s African Nursery Rhymes said: “As young parents, my co-founders and I had long felt the lack of engaging and affordable activities for children in Nairobi. At the same time, parents of kids who love our show had been asking for over a year for more off-screen experiences connected to the series. That shared need sparked the idea for Pungulu Party!—an experience that not only delighted children, but also brought out the inner child in every adult in the room.”
As the day progressed, live musical performances elevated the atmosphere, with soulful sets from Kenyan music acts: Liboi, Komora and Papillon Musa, whose mastery of the nyatiti mesmerised both children and parents. Pulsating DJ sets by Santuri kept the festival lively throughout, weaving together a seamless soundtrack of African rhythms. Children also practised some Jiu-jitsu techniques from Nairobi Jiu-jitsu Academy.
Sarah Mallia, producer of the series said: “We witnessed something powerful – families reconnecting with the songs, stories and traditions that make us who we are. Pungulu PArty! reminded us that our heritage isn’t something of the past; it’s alive, playful and flourishing. The success of the event affirms how deeply Kenyan families long for spaces where our cultural heritage is honoured, shared and passed on. When children meet their heritage with joy, something extraordinary happens. This was a reminder of that magic”.
