Mufangejo's Kraal 1980

John Muafangejo created this linocut print, titled "Mufangejo's Kraal," depicting scenes of his life. The cattle motif, seen here in abundance, is a prominent symbol deeply rooted in African culture, representing wealth, prosperity, and social status. This reverence for cattle echoes ancient traditions where bovine figures were associated with fertility and divine power, such as the bull imagery in Minoan Crete. We observe this symbolic migration even further, consider its presence in ancient Egyptian iconography with the Apis bull representing vitality and strength. Muafangejo's choice to foreground cattle taps into a collective memory, evoking a sense of cultural continuity. The stark, black-and-white contrast enhances the emotional weight, creating a visceral connection to ancestral roots and the rhythms of rural life. This piece becomes not just a depiction, but a powerful assertion of identity and heritage. It is a continuous and evolving narrative about the artist and his ancestors, and the non-linear way tradition changes through time.