Religious Art

African Influence in religious Art

Within this period I had the opportunity to visit various churches and cathedrals. In many of these places you could see the adaptation of ethnic culture into religious art. Some of it is really beautiful. When we visited a parish church near Archers post close to Samburu, I was fascinated by the statue of blessed virgin and child depicted as samburu tribe. This was done by a European art student who visited and interacted with the local people.

The chapel in Jesuit theological seminary – Hekkima – in Nairobi is full of such adaptations. One of the highlight of such adaptation is the stations of the cross. It is vibrant with bold colors.

The back wall of the main altar 

Some stations of the cross:

 Jesus before Pilate...

Veronica wipes the face of Jesus... 

Entombment 

The cathedral in Isiola has the Exodus story painted on the high side walls.

Here is a unique cross found in one of the mission churches – probably brought from the west. 

Here is a picture of saints found in one of the  homes, while we went around for house blessings. (probably African saints... i couldn't confirm).