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NEIGHBORS
Part of being in a community is knowing your neighbors. We are all born unique to our own beings, but we can be united to bring those unique difference in order to build a loving and engaged neighborhood.
MAKEDA
Her name was Makeda, better known as the Queen of Sheba. The Bible records that she ruled a rich kingdom in Axum, Ethiopia, She was beautiful warrior an African queen.
MEHABER
I remember when my mother used to gather with all the neighborhood moms once a month. They gather to enjoy the day. It was a social setting where all members chip in money to help and build security around the community. They also become close friends and watch over each others kids, and help in hard times. This social club is called Mehaber and practiced among Ethiopians.
BLIND DATE
A social engagement between two people who have not previously met. Blind date can be awkward for many. We also don’t have to forget many of our parents met on blind date.
ZEBEGNA
Zebegna is the title given to a house guard in Ethiopia. A Zebegna is hired to protect a single household
or to maintain security in a compound of many households. When I was a kid, I used to think a
Zebegna’s job was limited to opening and closing residential gates. As I grew older, however, I realized
their workload extended beyond manning the gates at all hours of the day and night. Zebegna’s walk us
to places when we feel threatened, help to carry heavy items whenever required, serves as a messenger,
and as a locator of goods and services.
SAHARA
African women endure both poverty and displacement from their homes. This painting is dedicated to millions of women who migrate to escape war and poverty. I named it Sahara, because their life is like the hot desert that is hard to endure.
PIERCING EYES
When visiting Africa, you will be welcomed by one of those piercing eyes. They wave at you, run after your car, following you everywhere you go. They try to engage and call after you. This shows their curiosity to learn about other people outside of their world.
BEST FRIENDS
Best Friends are our chosen family. They are our soul sisters, the sprinkle that shines light into our darkest moments. They make us laugh when we are sad and lift us up when we are down. They tell us what we need to know as it is. They are genuine and truthful. Best friends are forever.
COLOR OF AFRICA
Africa is filled with colorful people of different ethnicity and culture. Despite hardships, African people capture us all with smiles and laughter.
I LOVE AFRICA
Amongst the things I love the best,
Is the colorful people that get to nest,
In this continent called Africa,
It is for me the warriors Mecca.
I love Africa!
HAPPY HOUR
A reminder of pre covid. Happy Hour is a world wide event typically between 4 -7 pm. Friends and coworkers mingle; relax and unwind after a long day of work. It is also where most of us get to meet new people and broaden our network.
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
Community policing is one of the oldest, best known strategies used to maintain peace within the neighborhood. I remember my father and all the neighborhood dads taking turns in shifts to protect and keep our neighborhood safe.
ANCESTORS
In Africa, rituals are performed to make an offering or prayer to the Ancestors. These offerings are made to rocks, rivers, mountains, and trees to signify that ancestral spirits are living within them. They are reminders that we are not masters of all species but the children of all of life.−
PILLARS OF THE TRIBES 01
Recognize the strength and grace of these women, bearing loads and overcoming challenges to ensure the welfare of their family and villages.
PILLARS OF THE TRIBES 02
Recognize the strength and grace of these women, bearing loads and overcoming challenges to ensure the welfare of their family and villages.
PILLARS OF THE TRIBES 03
Recognize the strength and grace of these women, bearing loads and overcoming challenges to ensure the welfare of their family and villages.
LOVE 01
Rejoice in the knowing that we all have the seeds of love within us. This seed enables us create true love, joy and happiness, for ourselves and others.
LOVE 02
Rejoice in the knowing that we all have the seeds of love within us. This seed enables us create true love, joy and happiness, for ourselves and others.
LOVE 03
Rejoice in the knowing that we all have the seeds of love within us. This seed enables us create true love, joy and happiness, for ourselves and others.
THE MIGRANTS
Crossing continents by air and sea,
searching for freedom, peace, and prosperity,
as one dreams to reach this land of the free,
spare no means and pay a hefty fee.
we have lost all breath to reach thus far,
we will pave our way to be the star.
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