New TV drama series ‘Sanura’ expected to raise the profile of Lamu archipelago
Women scrambling for green maize at the seafront depot near Sunsail hotel in Lamu Town. The Lamu archipelago is expected to raise its profile as a destination for film-making following the shooting of the TV drama series, “Sanura”.
What you need to know:
- Sanura, the central character, is torn between her society’s deep-rooted culture and beliefs and the liberated, critical and independent modern woman she aspires to be.
- The show premiered on Maisha Magic Plus on Tuesday at 7.30 pm. It will be aired every weeknight at 7.30 p.m.
Lamu archipelago is expected to raise its profile as a destination for film-making following the shooting of the TV drama series, “Sanura”.
The show was officially launched in a colourful event at Mkunguni Square in Lamu Old Town last week.
The event was attended by famous Kenyan actors and producers, among them Eddie Kimani, Ivy Wanjiku, Isack Gerson, Nyota Waziri and Sele Mzamil.
“Sanura” is an emotive and thrilling telenovela about a young woman caught between preserving tradition and charting her path.
The story is set in Lamu Pate and Shela islands.
Sanura, the central character, is torn between her society’s deep-rooted culture and beliefs and the liberated, critical and independent modern woman she aspires to be.
The show premiered on Maisha Magic Plus on Tuesday at 7.30 pm. It will be aired every weeknight at 7.30 p.m.
During the launch, filmmaker and the executive producer of the show, Daudi Anguka, praised Lamu’s rich traditional Swahili heritage, saying it would lend Sanura its authenticity.
Lamu Old Town was listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2001, owing to its culture spanning hundreds of years. Old Town is a tourist destination.
Mr Anguka said the telenovela particularly seeks to promote the culture and heritage of Lamu to the world.
He added that “Sanura” would help preserve some of Kenya’s culture and solidify the grasp of Kiswahili.
Tainted image
“‘Sanura’ will promote tourism in Lamu, whose image has for years been tainted by terrorist attacks. We have been in Lamu since April shooting ‘Sanura’,” he said.
“We have enjoyed our stay here. Lamu is safe and we believe our viewers will be fascinated by this TV drama show.”
Ms Margaret Mathore, the channel head for Maisha Magic Plus, said the telenovela is the latest in Maisha Magic Plus’ commitment to bringing authentic Kenyan stories to the screen.
She added that Lamu is endowed with great film shooting locations that need to be explored.
“For five years, we were on Funzi island in Kwale County shooting our TV Drama series ‘Pete’. It will be replaced with ‘Sanura’, another fascinating series filmed in Lamu,” Ms Mathore said.
“‘Sanura’ will also run for five years. We’re doing all this after realising the potential of using TV drama series as a means of marketing Kwale, Lamu and other parts of Kenya.”
She added that her team would continue to work with the best in local talent.
“We will create entertainment that resonates deeply with our viewers and appeals to their imagination while keeping up with their evolving tastes and preferences. There is no doubt ‘Sanura’ will join the ranks of our audience favourites,” Ms Mathore said.
County Trade, Tourism, Culture, and Industrialisation executive, Dismas Mwasambu, expressed confidence that the selection of the region as a film-making destination would boost its image and tourism.
