adminMaria Chiguvari
THE Embassy of Germany in Harare has announced the “Matobo – from Huts to Pots” project launch on Saturday at The Orange Elephant in Bulawayo.
The Matobo Pots Project was initiated and funded by the German Embassy.
This project is being undertaken in collaboration with Ekhaya Gaia-My Beautiful Home.
The event will include performances by Stango & Nengoma, Drums of Peace, Asante Mo and Thandoe to celebrate Ndebele culture.
The project hopes to support the revival of the traditional Ndebele art of hut painting in the Matobo Hills.
“The aim of the workshop is to create greater awareness and show the wonderful art that the women of the Matobo create.
“This widely unknown secret deserves to be shared and we hope to bring some of their creativity into your homes through pots.
“Additionally, the workshops will help the women transfer their skills from use of the traditional materials they use for painting huts (mud, sand, ash, charcoal by hand) to the more modern medium of paint and brush.
“This allows them to broaden the scope of their skills.
“These ladies love their art. They couldn’t wait to start and appreciated the learning.
“We’re certain this is the beginning of so much more.
“The event takes place in the rural area, adding to the rural economy and it took a team of locals, who supported the project, to make it work,” read a statement.
In several workshops, which will be conducted in various areas in the Matobo Region and Bulawayo, the female artists will transfer their traditional designs onto pots, which will give their artistry a wider visibility and, therefore, promote preservation of cultural heritage.
The pots, each an individual and unique work of art, will be on sale at The Orange Elephant Bulawayo and in Harare.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter