“15 Years of Tinga Tinga Tales—How This African Cartoon Built 100 Schools in Kenya!”
Fifteen years ago, Tinga Tinga Tales introduced children around the world to the magic of African storytelling, blending Tanzanian-inspired Tingatinga art with traditional folktales. Now, as the beloved animated series celebrates its 15th anniversary, it’s clear that Tinga Tinga Tales is much more than just a show—it’s a movement for education, creativity, and cultural appreciation.
Alongside this milestone, Tiger Aspect Kids & Family (part of Banijay Kids & Family) announced another incredible achievement: construction has been approved for its 100th classroom in Kenya. This is part of the studio’s ongoing mission to support children’s education in some of the country’s most remote and underserved areas.
A Celebration of African Storytelling & Art
Created by Claudia Lloyd, Tinga Tinga Tales was inspired by the vibrant Tingatinga art style of Tanzania and the rich oral traditions of African folktales. The series—produced in Nairobi in collaboration with Homeboyz Entertainment—has become a global hit, with its 52 x 11-minute episodes still being distributed by NBCUniversal DreamWorks.
But beyond its success in entertainment, Tinga Tinga Tales has made a real-world impact, giving back to the very communities that inspired its stories.
- How has the series made a difference?
- 50% of Tinga Tinga Tales net profits go toward building classrooms in Kenya.
- The initiative has supported the construction of 100 classrooms, complete with greenhouses, water-harvesting systems, and sanitation facilities—thanks to partners like Safaricom and Coca-Cola.
- Over 40,000 Tinga Tinga Tales books and 350 early childhood development training kits have been distributed to Kenyan teachers through the Read a Book, Give a Book scheme.
For creator Claudia Lloyd, this impact is the show’s true legacy:
“We trained over a hundred people to work on the series in Nairobi—now considered an animation badge of honor in East Africa. The show anthem is sung with love all over the world, we even took the Tinga Tinga Tales musical to Broadway, and now we’re breaking ground on our 100th classroom! Hard work with meaningful outcomes … it doesn’t get better than that!”
Why Tinga Tinga Tales Still Matters 15 Years Later
A Distinctive Visual Style
The series’ Tingatinga art style—with its bold colors, intricate patterns, and stylized animal designs—helped introduce a wider audience to African artistry.
Preserving & Sharing African Folktales
Each episode provides a playful explanation of animal traits, rooted in authentic African folklore—from Why Elephant Has a Trunk to Why Lion Roars.
A Positive Impact on Education
With 100 classrooms built and thousands of books donated, Tinga Tinga Tales is changing lives beyond the screen, ensuring children have access to education and creativity.
From TV to Broadway
The show’s success even led to a Broadway musical adaptation, proving its global appeal and cultural significance.
A Lasting Legacy in Kids’ Entertainment
As Tinga Tinga Tales celebrates 15 years, it remains a shining example of how animation can educate, inspire, and give back.
- Still airing worldwide through NBCUniversal DreamWorks
- Inspiring the next generation of African storytellers
- Building schools and changing lives in Kenya
This isn’t just an anniversary—it’s a testament to the power of storytelling and the impact of giving back.
