This was a huge undertaking for me as I wanted to explore tribal fashion amongst the Sukuma people. My inspiration was the members who live near the banks of Ukerewe (Lake Victoria) in Tanzania. I could not identify a specific name for their beadwork, but the clothing was inspired by elaborate kanga patterning. If anyone has any resources for the beading, please let me know!
More info under the cut :]
Her tail is inspired by a species of cichlid endemic to Ukerewe called Pundamilla nyrerei aka Nyererei cichlid. They are beautiful tropical fish and I wanted to incorporate one of the THOUSAND-PLUS amazing cichlid species found in Ukerewe.
This is actually the first time I have designed an indigenous character and hope that I did so in a respectful/humanizing manner despite technically being a humanoid species. Please let me know if there are any features that are wrong or offensive; I would be happy to correct them or remove the piece entirely!
Unusually high rainfall has caused 'backflow' into Africa's largest lake, displacing communities and spurring calls for more regional effort to manage water
Women dashed around open kitchens dotted across the playground of Bubango Primary School, preparing to feed the hundreds of children who now call the school in western Kenya their home.
About 400 families from Budalangi, in Busia County, have been living at the school since April, when the Nzoia River that flows from Kenya's western highlands into Lake Victoria burst its banks in the worst flooding the area has seen in decades.
After more than a year of unusually heavy rainfall, over 800,000 Kenyans have been displaced by flooding, according to the government.
The situation has been made worse by flooded rivers channelling huge volumes of water into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest lake, causing it to spill over onto its shores - a phenomenon called "backflow".
"We lost everything when our homes got inundated with water. Houses have been destroyed, livestock and crops swept away," said Hesborne Opondo, 45, who lost his shop to the rising lake.
His wife now sells flatbread to others living at Bubango school to support their six children, he added.
Scientists warn that other massive flood events may be ahead as climate change strengthens, and some have urged the three countries that share the lake - Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania - to work together to put systems in place to lessen flood damage.
Crossing Lake Victoria, heading back to Mwanza from the island of Ukerewe. Ankole-Watusi cattle (longhorns commonly found in Uganda) were herded aboard the barge. The cattleman's blue umbrella matches the swatches of paint on the cattle. #lakevictoria #ukerewe #ukereweisland #ankolewatusi #cattle #longhorns #longhorn #blue #blueumbrella #cattledriver #herd #nikon #nikond70 #nomadpicturestudios #nomad #adpaterniti #antoniodpaterniti (at Lake Victoria)
Crossing Lake Victoria, heading back to Mwanza from the island of Ukerewe. Ankole-Watusi cattle (longhorns commonly found in Uganda) were herded aboard the barge. The cattleman's blue umbrella matches the swatches of paint on the cattle. #lakevictoria #ukerewe #ukereweisland #ankolewatusi #cattle #longhorns #longhorn #blue #blueumbrella #cattledriver #herd #nikon #nikond70 #nomadpicturestudios #nomad #adpaterniti #antoniodpaterniti (at Ukerewe Island)
ni Ziwani lakini bado 3G/H+ zinasoma. Wanakwenda tunakotoka #Mwanza na sie twaenda watokako #Ukerewe. Ukiangalia hadi mwisho kuna sehemu hutaona chochote hata mti zaidi ya maji... Narudi nyumbani #Ukerewe, cant wait to be there this evening; my home of brave... (at Lake Victoria, Tanzania)
Once guzzled at social ceremonies, this potent libation long ago fell out of favor on Tanzania’s Ukerewe Island. But one aging brewmaster is keeping the tradition alive.