Gallery 1
Gallery 2
Gallery 3
Gallery 4
Gallery 5
Gallery 6
Gallery 7
Gallery 8
Gallery 9
Gallery 10
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: WHAT IS TINGA TINGA?
A: Tinga Tinga is a popular art style from Tanzania named after the artist E.S.Tingatinga
Q: WHICH PAINTINGS ARE AVAILABLE?
A: The available paintings are marked with yellow background CODE
Q: HOW TO BUY THE PAINTINGS?
2045 Iddi ca 80x60cm
Q: IS IT POSSIBLE TO ORDER A PAINTING?
A: Yes, if you see this: SOLD in the "current paintings" section (nembers) then you still can order the painting. But the waiting time is long, the prices is higher and ordering exact same paintings does not encourage the creativity of the painters.
Q: I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE PRICES OF THE PAINTINGS
A: Write us to info@afrum.com (or use the form in the contact section) and we will send you the price list
Q: WHAT IS THE POSTAGE COST TO MY COUNTRY?
Big Paintings
(ca 80x100cm)Small Paintings
(27x35cm)Postage Cost
Country 1-2 pcs 1- 9 pcs $40-$50 All 3-4 pcs 11- 18 pcs $50-$60 All 5-6 pcs 19 - 27 pcs $60-$70 All 7-8 pcs 28 -36 pcs $70-$80 All 9-10 pcs 37 - 45 pcs $80-$90 All 11 and more 45 and more Fixed price $90 All
Q: HOW TO PAY?
A: Unfortunately we don´t accept VISA cards so you will have to send money to a bank acocunt or through Western Union.
Q: WHY DON´T YOU ACCEPT CREDIT CARD?
A: We have started recently the website and we have had limited time to fix the credit payment method. But we are working on it and soon it will be possible to pay with a credit card.
Q: DOES THE TINGA TINGA PAINTINGS CRACK?
A: No, if the quality materials are used. People buying the paintings on their holiday in Tanzania are at risk to be cheated. Many painters use the so called "ngano" as a basic colour. It is a mix of water with wheat powder. Buying the painting through us gives you quality garantee. Not only we use a silk color as a basic but we use a quality canvas, regular frame, dust-free colors etc.
Q: WHICH PAINTS DO YOU USE?
We use "Master Paints" made by UAE company called National Paints Factories Co.Ltd. Most often we use "Synthetic Enamel Gloss 1" Transocean Marine Paint based on alkyd resin.
Q: HOW DO YOU DELIVER THE PAINTINGS
A: We deliver the paintings without frame. They are rolled in the tube. (see picture)
Q: CAN YOU SEND THE PAINTINGS ON FRAME?
A: No, because the cost would be high and the painting could be damaged on the way to you. You are advised to stretch the paintings at your local galery. If you are handy, you can do it yourself and spare a lot of money. See how to strech Tinga Tinga paintings
Q: IS THE POSTAGE SERVICE RELIABLE?
A: Yes. We use EMS - "Expedited Mail Service - Tanzania" which is both cheap and reliable. But on request we can send the paintings through DHL, FedEx or any other company you wish.
Q: AFTER HOW MANY DAYS WILL THE PAINTINGS ARRIVE TO ME?
A: It can take as few as 4 days to Europe/North America but expect around one week, especially if you are from Asia/South America
Q: ARE THE PAINTINGS REPRODUCED?
A: Whoever says whatever - the paintings are reproduced. The easier motive the easier to reproduce. If you want something very special look more for names and unusual motives. Many painters have developed their own style and only them reproduce their own motives. (Example is Abdul Mkura, Omary Amonde) But many painters create unique paintings, never reproduced even by the painter himself (Example: John Kilaka, Mohamed Charinda) This website aims to show as original paintings as possible. But keep in mind that even the reproduced painting is unique - it is still hand -painted and it is never exact copy.
Q: TINGA TINGA AS AN INVESTMENT?
A: Most people love their Tinga Tinga paintings and never would sell them. But some people also look at Tinga Tinga paintings as an investment. I think that the prices of the Tinga Tinga paintings are undervalued. We have not yet started to appreciate this art form. We have not yet understood the hidden symbols, the message and the life of the artists. The BBC and Walt Disney´s "Tinga Tinga Tales" in may help to spread the word Tinga Tinga. But even without Walt Disney there are currently number of other exciting projects. (FIFA, book projects, exhibitions) This website also contributes to spreading the word about Tinga Tinga. I can´t garantee the prices will grow but I believe so, at least for special particular paintings.
USEFUL TIPS
After you Receive the Paintings: Please be carefull when you unrole the pantings. Unrole them in a warm environment because then the colors are "flexible". (see explanation bellow). If you bought the paintings as a present to somebody or as an investment don´t leave them in a tube too long time. At least take them out for a while so you are sure both the paintings and the tube is completely dry. There could be some moisture condensed on the way from hot Africa to your cold place and it is not good for paintings.
How to Strech the Paintings: When you unroll the paintings, stretch them on the stretcher bars, do so in warm environment. I recommend 30-35 degrees Celsius. Do a test: put the paintings in a refrigerator and you will see it will be very hard and difficult to handle. Put the paintings in a bastu/sauna. Now the painting is very flexible. That´s why it is good to stretch in warm room. Also this is to avoid any crack.
Please post us new questions to info@afrum.com