Imigongo is an art form that has its origins in the eastern part of Rwanda. These exquisite geometric designs are a signature feature in Rwandese art. And while it may not look like it, it’s made of cow dung.
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00:00 Yes, this is s***.
00:03 Did you know that kowtow can be turned into beautiful and meaningful works of art?
00:08 That's exactly what the Rwandese do with the art of emigongo.
00:12 I started by selling emigongo by sourcing them from women who were making them in Nyarubuye,
00:20 then bringing them here to Kigad.
00:23 I then got this idea that I can start hand crafting them as well.
00:30 In 2013, I joined a cooperative of Kirehe that makes emigongo.
00:36 Emigongo is an ancient Rwandese art form that has its origins in the eastern part of Rwanda.
00:43 These exquisite geometric designs are a signature feature in Rwandese art.
00:48 And while it may not look like it in the end, they start out as a rather unusual raw material,
00:55 kowtow.
00:56 When you're making the emigongo, you take the ash and pass it through a filter to remove the impurities.
01:08 After that, the ash is then mixed with the kowtow.
01:15 Back in the workshop, the kowtow begins its transformation from waste product into art.
01:21 I have just mixed kowtow with ash so that the smell of kowtow is removed.
01:28 When you're mixing kowtow with the ash, it becomes sticky.
01:33 So when I stick it on the piece of board, it adheres well.
01:37 The next step is to think about the design.
01:42 I will create the design on the piece of board, sketch it, then start creating.
01:47 I will put my ruler here and draw a line.
01:51 Every time you make a design, always make sure that the piece of board that you will use to
02:01 create your design, the design will have to be centered so that no side is oversized or undersized.
02:11 Next, you will draw two lines that mimic the design of the housetop that we saw earlier.
02:18 So right now, I can start applying the kowtow that I've been preparing.
02:30 You have to put pressure on it to ensure that when the sun shines, it's not going to fall off.
02:40 After that, you make sure that you have wet your fingers so that you can smoothen the
02:44 dung with the moisture of the hands.
02:46 Geometric patterns such as zigzags, spirals, or squares are synonymous with Imigongo and
02:58 hold cultural significance.
03:00 Some patterns represent prosperity, fertility, protection, or gratitude.
03:06 Others may depict historical events of the Rwandese heritage.
03:10 Imigongo is an invention that was made by the son of the king of the eastern region
03:16 called Kimeini.
03:18 He wanted to improve the interior of his father's house, so he did this using cow dung and ash.
03:31 He went inside the house and started to draw and make different designs.
03:36 After that, he started exploring on how he can use colors.
03:45 He used dirt called ingwa or ingugu that were used at the time to finish the interior.
03:57 In order to apply the white color and for painting the red color, he used umujina.
04:04 And for painting the black color, he found a tree called rubamba.
04:11 He cut it down and mixed it up with cow urine.
04:16 The colors used in Kinyarwanda, in Imigongo, had meaning.
04:27 For example, the color white characterized someone who is loyal.
04:32 Like many traditional art pieces in Rwanda,
04:38 the finished Imigongo pieces are made by a group of artisans organized into cooperatives.
04:44 Their art is a welcome source of livelihood for them and their families.
04:48 The ageless art of Imigongo has morphed over a few hundred years
04:55 from adorning the huts of the past to the striking interior deco pieces they are today.
05:01 Nevertheless, they continue to center the sacred symbolism of the cow,
05:06 considered a central part of Rwandese culture and life.