Ehi/Land/Sand Rites/Rights: A Mesmerizing Exhibition at the Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre Celebrating Namibian Heritage

Windhoek, Namibia – The Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre (FNCC) is proud to announce the opening of Ehi/Land/Sand Rites/Rights, an evocative new exhibition that intricately explores the connection between land, memory, and identity through the geological and cultural landscape of Namibia’s Waterberg. This immersive installation, set to open Thursday evening, 31st October, invites the public to journey through layered histories, merging art and performance in a vivid homage to Namibia’s heritage.

Ehi/Land/Sand Rites/Rights is a monumental 3x6m mobile installation, meticulously crafted with a spectrum of sands representing the geological strata of the Waterberg. This masterpiece draws from the artist’s doctoral research, completed in 2020/2021, encapsulating a narrative that delves deeply into land rights, cultural memory, and ecological awareness. By transforming raw, natural materials into a textured story of Namibia’s landscape, this exhibition serves as both a tribute and a call for preservation of the country’s rich heritage.

Visitors to the FNCC will witness the vibrant integration of visual and performance art, as opening night will feature a live performative element comprising two oral poems, one omitandu, two poets, a praise singer, and traditional instrumentation, including drums and a kudu horn. Each element has been carefully selected to echo the rhythmic pulse of the land and to engage visitors in a multi-sensory journey of discovery, grounding them in the ancestral voices and experiences that continue to shape Namibia today.

The conceptual foundation of Ehi/Land/Sand Rites/Rights reflects Namibia’s dynamic and diverse cultures, with sand symbolizing the essence of identity and the often-overlooked stories embedded within our environment. By portraying sand as more than a medium, the installation calls viewers to reflect on its deeper meanings: resilience, preservation, and the shared narratives that bind communities together. This transformative work aims to foster conversations around cultural memory, communal heritage, and the significance of land rights in postcolonial Namibia.

As part of FNCC’s commitment to cultural education and community engagement, the exhibition provides an invaluable platform to promote critical reflections on heritage and conservation. This installation invites us to reimagine our connection to the land. Through sand, we see a symbol of continuity, adaptability, and history—a reminder that land, too, holds memories and speaks through its natural form.

The exhibition is designed for audiences of all ages and backgrounds, promising a dynamic engagement with Namibian heritage that inspires a greater appreciation for the nation’s cultural landscapes.

Event Details:

• Opening Night: Thursday, 31st October 2024 at 7pm
• Location: Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre (FNCC), 118 Robert Mugabe Avenue
• Performances: Traditional performances including poetry, drums, and kudu horn.

Admission is free, and all are welcome to experience this once-in-a-lifetime exhibition. Join us in celebrating Namibia’s heritage and discovering the layered stories of the Waterberg.