They are the owners of the Kitale 2000 bookshop. I have made photocopies there, purchased school books, helped price and re-stock the back; yet, somehow, I have never learned his name {though he calls me Alistair--an added bonus}, nor taken a photo with them. {I will remedy that problem soon...the photo, not the name, he can call me Alistair forever, if he'd like.}
On Monday, when I came in to the store, Deepa {the owner's wife} said she'd like to take me, Bre and Jordan to see the art she had done in the community center. She said it was done in flour, and would only be left on display until Thursday. She also said she knew that I like art. {I'm not sure how she knew that, but it's very true.}
So, Tuesday, we met her and her daughter {home on holiday from college} in the bookshop and they took us to the community center. As we walked around the room and looked at the unbelievably detailed and richly colored art, Deepa told us about their religion: Jainism.
The pieces were composed entirely of dyed flour, and made in celebration of Diwali. I could not believe how bright the colors were...I probably said, "That blue is beautiful!" about ten times.









Yesterday, when I saw them again, they invited us to a tree planting ceremony on Tuesday morning. Their community center has purchased 5,000 trees to plant all over Kitale.
I can't wait to have a picture with them...they are totally my friends!
1 comment:
Wow! How creative and resourceful they are to use FLOUR as an artform! They are all gorgeous!
I believe the Swastika was originally a 'good luck' type of symbol, as I have antique postcards that have the symbol on it with flowers and well wishes.
I believe the Nazi symbol turned that symbol backwards...you have to look very closely to see the difference.
All the food sounds yummy and I KNOW how much they love to cook for you!
LOVE his name for you, Alistair.
It's almost All Star!
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