Imagine stepping into a space where the vibrant stories of Zimbabwe's indigenous people, the Shona, Ndebele, Ndau, Tonga, etc, come to life through stunning photography and ancient objects. “Rukuvute: Healing African Diasporic Displacement Through Ancestral Fragments” is an evocative project exploring cultural heritage, identity, and the enduring power of African historic art from a Zimbabwean perspective.
Conceptualised by Belvin Tawuya, this project is inspired by Zimbabwe: Art, Symbol, and Meaning, a book by Gil Atherstone and Duncan Wylie, the culmination of over two decades of documenting sacred Indigenous practices from deep in the Zimbabwean countryside—showing how culture is understood and expressed by connecting to pieces of family history, social norms, and tradition. How fragments from the past influence our present and future and how ceremonies, stories, and objects help shape individual identity within a larger community.
This exhibition and supporting programme aim to heal the mental, spiritual, and cultural fragmentation endured by African diasporans due to disconnection from their ancestral homelands. Overseas migration, whether forced or voluntary, can lead to feelings of anxiety, misalignment with cultural roots, and a yearning for ancestral connection. Rukuvute provides a supportive and enriching environment for diasporic Zimbabweans/Africans to reconnect with their heritage, find solace, and cultivate a sense of belonging.
Several African cultures share the ancient tradition of burying a newborn’s umbilical cord, known as “rukuvute” in Shona or “inkaba” in Ndebele, in the environs of the ancestral “home” (kumusha/ekhaya). This ritual symbolises the child’s connection to their birthplace, their sense of belonging, and a pathway to an eventual reconnection with their ancestors when physical life ends. The term “PaRukuvute” translates to ‘the place where one’s umbilical cord is buried’, where one’s roots are - embodying both a literal and symbolic significance in this ancient cultural practice.
“Umbilical connection” serves as a powerful metaphor illustrating the deep, intrinsic bond between Africa and its global diaspora and among diaspora communities. This connection emphasises the idea of identity, sustenance, and mutual reliance, much like the biological umbilical cord that nourishes and sustains a developing child. Africa as the cradle of humankind, is our nurturing mother, shaping our sense of self and belonging, regardless of the diverse paths we take.
Art has long served as an avenue for self-expression and a tool for social commentary and healing for minority communities. Far away from ‘home’, access to ancestral practices, philosophies, artistic expressions, spaces, and objects can provide much-needed relief. Rukuvute offers the African diaspora a unique chance to reflect on their experiences, challenge prevailing stereotypes, and reclaim their identities.