NABEIYE
A few months ago, I began painting a series called “Turkana”. This name refers to a nomadic tribe found within the north-western part of Kenya. They live around a massive water body called Lake Turkana.he painting above is titled “Nabeiye”. This is one of the villages found in Turkana. While strolling along the Savannah grassland on a typical afternoon, groups of young adult women are a common sight. Most are married and will have a baby strapped to their back or a toddler sitting on their hip. One or two children may be running in circles around them. Modern day Turkana girls always have very colourful sarongs wrapped around their slim bodies, a sharp contrast to their beautiful ebony skin. Their necks are adorned with strings of very colourful beads. These beads are a symbol of beauty, identity and they also show the wealth the girl’s father possesses.
This could be a Saturday afternoon in Turkana. The environment is harsh; the sun is relentless. But look at the beauty they bring to the almost dull background. Some of them have their mouths wide open, maybe in laughter, maybe just grinning. All of them have their eyes downcast, almost shy, and so endearing. They may be very close to each other, but you can feel a sense of individuality, depicted by the physical distance between them. You can almost feel the strength flowing from each of them. What do you feel?
