Gezicht op een kaap bij Rukua op Beqa before 1899

This photograph captures a shore bluff at Rukua, Mbenga, and invites us to ponder the symbolism inherent in landscapes. Note how the rugged, uneven terrain leads the eye upward, evoking a sense of ascension, much like the sacred mountains in ancient mythologies. These geological formations, shaped by time and the elements, echo the enduring power of nature. Consider, for example, the motif of the "axis mundi," where mountains serve as the connection between the earthly and the divine, seen across cultures from Mount Olympus to Mount Fuji. The rough textures and stark contrasts may stir feelings of awe, perhaps even a hint of unease. This primal reaction connects us to ancestral experiences, where landscapes dictated survival and held spiritual significance, subconsciously shaping our perception of the world around us. Ultimately, such imagery embodies the cyclical nature of existence: erosion and renewal, destruction and creation, recurring motifs in the grand tapestry of history.