Canvas mockup.
The darkest areas overlap with a cross section of vertical and horizontal lines. The mid-tones are represented by horizontal green lines, and the lightest areas are blank so the background is visible. I used the colours of red, gold , and green, which is synonymous with Rastafari, but they are also the colours taken from the Namibian flag, the country where the himba reside.
The mother is pictured with her back turned, carrying a baby who is looking directly at the camera, the focus is not as much on the mother, but rather the magnetic gaze of the child on his mother's back. A Himba mother usually carries her baby comfortably in a leather baby carrier on her back.
Himba communities are polygamous, female-centric and largely matriarchal. Men are usually either in town for work, looking after cattle or with their other partners. With the support of each other, women maintain the homestead and raise their children together.
In Himba culture, women are celebrated from pregnancy, midwifery, birth and on through puberty. Young girls are distinguished by intricate horn-like braids entwined over their heads, and carry their younger brothers and sisters around goatskin backpacks.
When they reach womanhood, their braids are transformed into long plaits and covered with a red paste called Otjize, a mixture of ochre and goat butterfat. Water is extremely scarce, so the red concoction serves equal parts as a skin moisturized and sunscreen. Of all the pieces this took the most time. The completed artwork is seen in the next picture.
Number 3 of 4 in a series looking at the relationships between african mothers from different tribes and their children.
Available for purchase at: https://africkandy.creator-spring.com/listing/himba-mother-child?product=624
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