The tough side of maternal love.
The caring side.
By Nyadzombe Nyampenza
African mothers are beautiful in many ways. Virginia Chihota shows the not so pretty side. A mother herself, she pays homage to the woman who raised her, with a fierce portrait.
The title ‘“Ndiri Mwana Wa…’’ responds to the probing question “Whose child are you…?’’. Such an interaction creates space for intimate knowledge. Depending on whether one is with the paternal or maternal side of the family, an appropriate reply has to include the given name of one parent. This is one instant when an African child can say their parents’ first name without seeming disrespectful.
The work portrays a maternal figure standing under the hallo of a thatched roof. Her rigid posture commands attention. The woman’s face looks cross and offended. With one hand she points to the side like a divine matriarch giving stern instructions. Her expression and gestures forebode terrible consequences. She seems filled with righteous indignation. To a child it is the look on a mother’s face that inspires penitence, remorse, and regret. A spanking might follow. The punishment is not in spite of the question “Whose child are you…?’’, but precisely because of it.
Hindsight works as a tool for appreciation in Virginia’s work. Looking to the past leads the mind to regress to youthful memories and experiences. The work allows a functional adult to be thankful for the tough side of maternal love.
