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SMA Launches New Publication at 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair

The Sharjah Museums Authority (SMA) is participating in the 43rd edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair. WAM
The Sharjah Museums Authority (SMA) is participating in the 43rd edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair. WAM
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SMA Launches New Publication at 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair

The Sharjah Museums Authority (SMA) is participating in the 43rd edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair. WAM
The Sharjah Museums Authority (SMA) is participating in the 43rd edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair. WAM

The Sharjah Museums Authority (SMA) is participating in the 43rd edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair under the theme “This is How We Begin,” inviting visitors on an inspiring journey to explore its museums.

In celebration of this event, SMA has released a new publication titled “Sharjah Museums,” which takes readers on an enthralling journey through the diverse stories within Sharjah’s museums, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

The publication reflects the vision of Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, who stated, “Museums are made to educate our children and our future generations.” The book is a valuable addition to the cultural library of Sharjah, showcasing the emirate's dedication to preserving its rich heritage.

The book is divided into three comprehensive sections, each spotlighting a unique aspect of Sharjah’s museums, from historical artifacts to Islamic art and modern creativity, WAM said.

The first section, “History and Heritage,” delves into the stages of human existence in Sharjah, presenting rare artifacts from ancient periods, such as the camel figurine discovered in Muweilah, dating back to 900–600 BCE.

The second section, “Art and Culture,” explores Sharjah’s artistic and cultural legacy, showcasing Islamic art and contemporary works that celebrate both local and international creativity.

Finally, the “Discovery and Science” section highlights Sharjah’s contributions to knowledge and discovery, featuring scientific and exploration exhibits that captivate visitors of all ages.

To showcase historical travel techniques and their impact on civilizations, the SMA exhibition platform is designed with three immersive sections that take visitors on a journey of discovery, blending intellectual activities with heritage artifacts.

In the “Journey of Knowledge and Discovery” section, visitors are invited to engage in interactive experiences designed to inspire critical and creative thinking. This section features activities such as the “Color Square,” “Triangle Puzzle,” and “Sense of Touch,” which provide a hands-on experience in a thought-provoking environment.

At the heart of the platform is the “Travel and Exploration Exhibition,” where visitors can explore four unique artifacts from Sharjah Museums that evoke the spirit of discovery and the charm of past journeys. The journey begins with a camel figurine, symbolizing desert expeditions and the deep connection between Arabs and the desert. Discovered at the Muweilah archaeological site in Sharjah, this statue illustrates the camel’s resilience and its essential role in connecting communities across the desert.

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The Women behind Zimbabwe’s Striking Hut Painting Art

A general view of a mud painted house seen through a window of a house under construction in Matobo, Matabeleland on September 29, 2024. (AFP)
A general view of a mud painted house seen through a window of a house under construction in Matobo, Matabeleland on September 29, 2024. (AFP)
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The Women behind Zimbabwe’s Striking Hut Painting Art

A general view of a mud painted house seen through a window of a house under construction in Matobo, Matabeleland on September 29, 2024. (AFP)
A general view of a mud painted house seen through a window of a house under construction in Matobo, Matabeleland on September 29, 2024. (AFP)

The golden rays of the afternoon sun enhance the bold, hand-painted patterns on the mud walls of a round, thatched hut in Peggy Masuku's village of Matobo in southwestern Zimbabwe.

Outside, at a small table with two curved seats -- all fashioned out of mud -- Masuku shows visitors how she mixes soil pigments, charcoal and ash to create the earth tones that make the striking motifs.

The 54-year-old is admired as one of the best among hundreds of women who practice the traditional art of hut painting in the picturesque granite hills of Matobo, where the rocks hold spiritual value.

The art is gaining recognition beyond this part of rural Zimbabwe, with the bold patterns incorporated into fashion and designs that are finding a small market as far away as Europe and bringing income to its village artists.

For the self-effacing Masuku, it all started when her stepmother assigned her, as the youngest girl in the family, the duty of smearing a cow-dung paste onto the walls and floors of the family huts, a traditional technique to maintain the structures.

"My stepmother would oversee this chore and make sure I did it to perfection. Initially, I thought this was abuse but I later realized it was good training," Masuku told AFP.

"I graduated to doing the hut painting, which elderly women did, and over time became quite good at it."

- International interest -

Masuku's talent first found recognition through a competition called My Beautiful Home, in which she has featured among the winners several times since its launch in 2014.

The annual event is the brainchild of Veronique Attala, a French woman who stumbled on "a beautifully decorated hut" when lost while hiking in the Matobo Hills, a UNESCO heritage site that has one of the highest concentrations of rock paintings in Africa.

Attala, who has lived in Zimbabwe for more than 30 years, was inspired to nurture the tradition and support the women artists and their farming communities.

A new project headed by the German Embassy has also started testing out the commercial promise of these designs.

In collaboration with Zimbabwe's National Gallery and Fashion Council, it has launched the Matobo Collection featuring the work of selected artists reproduced on saleable items such as textiles, flowerpots and lampshades.

The project is helping to find markets in other parts of Zimbabwe and also abroad, mainly in Germany, with the artists receiving a license fee for their designs and royalties for every sale.

To help the women navigate issues of copyright and compensation, the embassy has also brought in intellectual property lawyers.

"The aim is to further promote the artistry of the ladies of Matobo and, subsequently, create greater awareness of this unique cultural heritage, nationally as well as internationally," the embassy's cultural attache Katrin Simon told AFP.

One of those selected for the Matobo Collection is Elgar Maphosa, who is impressed that the traditions of her community have "come this far".

"It is something that we do as routine," the 58-year-old villager said. "I never at any time imagined that I would one day get an income out of it while also learning new things."

- Younger generation -

Hut painting is an ancient Ndebele tradition in which the motifs were originally imbued with meaning.

It was a "mode of communicating the worldview or beliefs, as well as ideals and values of communities that lived long ago," said cultural historian Pathisa Nyathi.

"Over time the meanings got lost and, owing to the interaction with other cultures including Western, emphasis is now on aesthetics," Nyathi told AFP.

Emboldened by her success at My Beautiful Home, Masuku has been commissioned to paint buildings at Zimbabwe's top tourist resort town of Victoria Falls, which she hopes will lead to more projects.

Younger women are also learning the craft, including 26-year-old Nozipho, a development studies graduate and civil servant who is currently learning the art from her mother, and hopes to follow the steps of the older women in her community.