The shape of the Nile River Valley resembles a lotus flower. This is considered a symbol of self-regeneration and rebirth. The lotus reminds us to see the beauty in life; even when its roots are in the dirtiest waters, it still produces beautiful flowers.
Nairobi Design Week has brought together work by creatives from across Africa, in a collaboration that shows together is better.
The patterns used for the petals of the Lotus of the Nile are inspired by Afrikan traditions and culture.
These include: Afrikan symbology - with symbols inspired by Egyptian hieroglyphs, adinkra symbols, and more. These symbols were etched on walls, some printed on clothes, household items and artefacts. Symbols carried unique meanings, hence told a story or message.
Afrikan traditional lifestyle, including intricate hairstyles, homesteads such as round earth huts, application of Henna as temporary tattoos on the body for special occasions in places such as Sudan
Afrikan masks were used in various ceremonies, and were considered a link between humans and supernatural world of the dead and our ancestors.
In Congo, for example, there were many different masks, some that took animal forms, uniting the wearer with animal spirits eg Bwadi Bwa kifwebe masks of the Songye people in Congo basin, they mix the stripes of a zebra (or okapi), the teeth of a crocodile, the eyes of a chameleon, the mouth of an aardvark, the crest of a rooster, the feathers of an owl and more.
Socioeconomic activities such as basketry, beading, fishing, herding cattle. Many Afrikan communities keep cattle, like the Tutsi of Burundi and Rwanda, the Dinka of Sudan, the Karamajong' of Uganda
traditional musical instruments like the Nyatiti from Luo community in Kenya, the Drums which were used widely in many Afrikan countries,
Appreciation for nature including different animals and plants. Nature was considered an important element in Afrikan traditions, with different communities associating features like the river, mountains, and specific trees and animals with supernatural powers. Humans were meant to coexist in harmony and respect with nature, or otherwise get punished by nature.
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Sounds of the River Nile and beyond have been sampled and composed into a song.
These include a recording of the River Nile by You Design in Egypt, Masenqo instrumental by HaddinQo from Ethiopia, and more from other countries.
These sounds can be played in multiple unique ways depending on what combinations the user resonates with. Together, they form a harmonious piece of music, produced by Phinoshey.