Imigongo

Imigongo frescos at the International Geographical Festival in Saint-Die-des-Vosges , France

Imigongo ( Kinyarwanda : [ i m i ɡ o ː ŋ ɡ o ]) is a popular form of decorative art in Rwanda , an example of an original Rwandan culture. Imigongo is a multi-color relief paintings with geometric or spiral patterns, which can be either small in size or occupy an entire wall. The art of imigongo is traditionally done by Rwandan women. Locals use imigongo to decorate their homes and in various ceremonies.

After the genocide in Rwanda, the art of imigongo was on the verge of extinction. It was revived by the Kakira women's cooperative founded in 2000 in Kirekha . In Kirehe, the walls of some houses are decorated in the style of imigongo. Imigongo works are a popular souvenir from Rwanda among tourists. Exhibitions of art imigongo held in France and the United States.

The first paintings of imigo appeared in the XIX century. According to the version known in Kirehe, the imigongo was invented by Prince Kakira, the son of Kimeni, the ruler of Hisaka in Kibungo province, who took care of decorating the dwelling ^{[1] [2]} .

In the creation of imigongos, cow dung and paints of organic origin are used. Imigongo works are usually the result of collective work with a distribution of responsibilities. First, a relief layer is applied to the wooden board with cow dung. After it dries, several colorful layers are applied. The classic colors of imigongo are black, white and red. White paint is prepared from white clay , red from clay mixed with ocher , and black from ash from banana skins with aloe juice. Gradually, the imigongo begins to master other colors, the craftswomen also experiment with more modern, innovative images that convey the spirit of the Rwandan landscape , its flora and fauna , its people ^[3] .