Samwel Japhet is a Tanzanian dance artist, choreographer and social entrepreneur who found his voice through dance after a rough childhood of homelessness and abuse. Today he uses dance as artistic expression for story-telling. He believes that art is an invitation to transcendence and critical reflection on the realities of our times, and the political world. His fascination with human relationships and their connection to the world is central to his work, combining dance with visual storytelling, text, and music to address societal issues and human experiences, inviting audiences to reflect on the complexities of the human condition and envision alternative futures. His work has been shown in various festivals and theaters in the Netherlands, South Korea, Israel, South Africa, Germany, and Ethiopia, among other countries.
Samwel is a recipient of the 2021 Seed Award from the Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development. In 2021-2022, he co-managed UMOJA, a multidisciplinary artistic residency exchange program between East African and European artists in Tanzania. Graduated from the MUDA Africa Dance School in Tanzania. In 2015, he co-founded a Tanzanian based non-profit dance company (Nantea Dance Company), which provides multifaceted performances and community-based projects. Through his work, Samwel strives to build a culture where art has a value and inspires new possibilities.
