By
Andrew Mulenga
Dubbed
Zambia’s longest painting, the Journey in History project a canvas of images
that stretches more than K1.5 metres has been on display in the Lusaka showground’s
since last week Thursday.
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The painting that stretches over K1.5 kilometres
is on
display at the Lusaka Showgrounds
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Starting
from the Great East Road entrance opposite Manda Hill, attached to trees and
buildings the painting meanders round several streets, the main arena and
finally ends in the Henry Tayali Gallery.
The
UNICEF funded project was created by around 2,000 children from all 10
provinces of Zambia for the celebration of the country’s Golden Jubilee as well
as the 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
“The
more than one kilometre painting reflects the work of children to illustrate
Zambia’s history since gaining independence in 1964 and includes paintings on
politics, rights issues, sports, farming, environment, and other scenes,” reads a statement from UNICEF.
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Thawanda Chiluba, a grade 11 pupil at Kabulonga Boys High
School
with his contribution to the painting
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The
children were aided by a team from the Visual Arts Council that toured the
country and gave guidance with regards themes and technique. Perhaps the
painting may not be a well sequenced portrayal of Zambia’s history as the
projects title may suggest, however, it is an exciting insight into the way the
children of Zambia are able to perceive, interpret and portray history of their
country.
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Inutu Kawesha, 5 of Nkhwazi School in Lusaka
in front of her
painting at the Henry Tayali Gallery
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The
painting evokes forgotten and perhaps forbidden aspects of Zambia’s history
like the Mushala rebellion and the so called Lenshina uprising. One may argue
that the sheer mention of these Zambian individuals was almost treasonable at
one time. The former being the commander of a rebel group active in North Western
province and the latter being a Christian labelled a cult leader, believed to
be a prophet in the Northern Province.
Nevertheless
the children have brushed the negativity aside and have innocently made
renditions of the two. Such is the innocence of children; in one image a child
depicts a bus from the United Bus Company of Zambia (UBZ), but interestingly
the bus appears to be a latest model with the distinctive, large side mirrors
of either a Scania Marco polo or a Higer bus of course these are the buses that
the child knows but in truth, the buses of that era were either the Dubravas
imported from the Soviet Union or locally assembled TATA or Renault, the kind
that would take up to two days just to journey from Lusaka to Chipata and
passengers had to carry pot-loads of food to eat on the way.
One
of the most prominent among the recurring themes is elections, although this year’s
polls had been characterised by bitter rivalry, in most of the images that
reflect voting, the children appear to register their love for peace and unity
depicting rival parties shaking hands, an innocent reminder from the children
on the importance of unity at least on their behalf.
It
may not be easy to measure the success of the Journey in History as a project,
but one thing is for sure, the painting is entertaining and throughout the week
families, individuals and schools have been trekking to the showgrounds to have
a look at the spectacle.
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| A portrait of Zambian rapper Macky 2 on the cover of Speak Out Magazine |
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| Modern take on a UBZ coach |
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| Elections feature prominently in the painting |
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| A young artists tribute to national unity and democracy |
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