‘Matriarch’ – Day 77/365

by Andrea Fedder | Mar 18, 2019

When I hear the story of Dr Tererai Trent, and I think of what she has done for her village in Zimbabwe, I think of elephants. I think of their matriarchy and how gentle, slow yet steadfast their leadership is. And I think of their ability to pick up the subtle vibrations of the Earth.

And then I wonder, why do we humans look so hard for how we are different from animals than for how we are alike?

ORIGINAL COPY POSTED ON INSTAGRAM DURING THE CHALLENGE

I was recently reminded of the incredible story of Dr Tererai Trent, scholar, humanitarian, motivational speaker, educator, author, and founder of Tererai Trent International. She is a beautiful voice for women’s rights and educational equality and her own story of self-actualisation and achieving her own dreams is unlike anything I’ve ever heard. All that she has to share is profound, but to me, her story (and children’s book) of burying her dreams in a can, like a prayer message written to the universe is like a mantra of hope and inspiration. .
When I hear that story, and I thought of what she has done for her village in Zimbabwe, I thought of elephants. I thought of matriarchy and how gentle, slow yet steadfast their leadership is. And I thought of their ability to pick up the subtle vibrations of the Earth.
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And then I wondered, why do we humans look so hard for how we are different to animals than for how we are alike?
I hope Tererai’s story inspires you as much as it did me. I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy of her ‘The Awakened Woman’!
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And again, thanks to @joehanlyy for capturing this elephantine beauty in Zimbabwe.

Derivative work created with permission from the photographer

‘Last Of The Sun’ – Day 76/365

by Andrea Fedder | Mar 17, 2019

‘You have no power over what does not belong to you’. – Shona Proverb

ORIGINAL COPY POSTED ON INSTAGRAM DURING THE CHALLENGE

There’s a Zimbabwean proverb from the Shona tribe that goes ‘You have no power over what does not belong to you’.
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It warms my heart to remember this, that you can belong someplace but that it will never belong to you.
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Inspired by another beautiful @joehanlyymoment in the African bush of #hwange

Derivative work created with permission from the photographer

‘Sacred’- Day 75/365

by Andrea Fedder | Mar 16, 2019

Until the day I can explore it by foot, I will explore it by paint.

ORIGINAL COPY POSTED ON INSTAGRAM DURING THE CHALLENGE

Yoh, some days life offers you your creative energy on a platter and other days you have to hunt it down with a bow and arrow.
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It’s no coincidence, I believe, the constant calling to a land, the attraction we feel for a certain place. Do you find that the more you acknowledge it, the more it comes your way? It taps you on the shoulder through the stories of many people and many varied journeys.
From the friend you once knew who has a way with plants, to the books, artists and speakers who’s work all call to you, and then the man who wanders across the desert born in that very land. It’s no coincidence, I know.
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One of those places for me has always been Zimbabwe. And until the day I can explore it by foot, I will explore it by paint.
This is a moment captured by photographer @joehanlyy in #hwange. A moment of sacred Ibis, but a moment in a sacred place all the same.
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Zimbabwe, I hear you calling. I hear you. And I’m coming.

Derivative work created with permission from the photographer