The Tndusighi Houses

2024 | Mixed Media, Stretched on Wood Frame

Addressing a painful chapter in Rwandan history, this artwork reflects the Nyakatsi houses that were once given to women who had children outside of marriage, as a form of abandonment and social isolation. These women were left to raise their children in makeshift homes, disconnected from society.

The piece incorporates African fabric mediums, commonly found in Rwanda, symbolizing the traditional clothing worn by the people. This medium connects the artwork to the cultural fabric of the country and its history.

The journey from those dark times to the present is significant. Today, things have changed. The practice of abandoning women is no longer accepted, and Nyakatsi houses are a thing of the past. This artwork stands as a powerful symbol of social change and the progress Rwanda has made toward inclusion and equality for all.

See more artwork by Munezero JMV