The Matumbilas Lands On AfroLand TV

AfroLandTV has landed The Matumbilas as part of their free streaming library featuring all 18 episodes of the series thus far and is expected to eventually feature the show’s third season which is currently in production.

The Matumbilas is an animated family comedy series that has gained recognition for its unique and relatable portrayal of a Tanzanian family living in middle-class America. Created by Zul Manzi, a comedian and animator from Massachusetts, the show is a semi-autobiographical passion project that draws humor from the culture clashes between immigrant parents and their first-generation American children

The series centers on the Matumbila family, which includes:

• Hashim, the patriarch, who tries to parent his children in a traditional Tanzanian way.
• Zainat, the mother, who has high expectations for her children and a strong but sometimes complicated relationship with her husband.
• Amina, the eldest sibling and “voice of reason,” who is a high school student trying to navigate her identity.
• Rajab, the middle child, a freshman who enjoys being with his friends and has a good moral compass.
• Zulfiqar, the youngest sibling, a witty sixth-grader who often serves as the show’s protagonist, offering a young, optimistic perspective on his life as the only Black child in his grade.

The show’s storylines, which have been lauded for their solid writing and well-defined characters, tackle a range of topics with a light and humorous touch. Episodes explore everything from navigating social situations at school to awkward family traditions and the challenges of balancing Tanzanian roots with American life. One memorable episode, for example, sees the patriarch, Hashim, try to land his daughter Amina a job at a local Halal Fried Chicken restaurant.

Originally created and released independently by Zul Manzi’s ZMaster Productions, The Matumbilas was later acquired by the streaming platform kweliTV, where it quickly became one of the most-watched original series. More recently, the show has partnered with Titan1Studios to grow the brand, signaling a bright future for the animated comedy. The series stands out as a unique and authentic voice in animation, offering a humorous and heartfelt look at an underrepresented cultural experience.