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Communities Uniting to Confront HIV/AIDS in Africa:

Materials from the Melville J. Herskovits Library of African Studies

TABLEAUX

Tableaux are part of the rich heritage of rural craft art in South Africa. Tableaux of the type displayed here are made by women living in the KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa. The production of these particular crafts has its roots in local ideas that portray societal problems from a rural perspective. The tableaux demonstrate cultural awareness and societal values, representing a visual record of the experiences of rural communities in their struggle with the HIV/AIDS crisis.

Click on the images to view full size.

	Celani Njoyeza - The Umpundulu Bird November 2001 Celani Njoyeza's "Umpundulu Bird" describes a magical situation which can be likened to the current AIDS pandemic in rural areas. Although the tableau is all about a big dangerous bird, which signifies immediate death, there is no sign of a bird in the tableau. The story, as described by Celani, tells of two children playing happily in the field. On their return home they are alarmed to find both their parents missing. They consult with the sangoma (a local healer) who in turn consults the ancestors, through two lizards, discovering that both of the parents have been kicked by the umpundulu bird and are dead. The children are (AIDS?) orphans and are now looked after by neighbors in the community
	Celani Njoyeza - The Snake Story January 2002 The family is concerned as their daughter is suddenly followed by a snake wherever she goes. They consult the sangoma (a local healer) who seeks advice from the ancestors. They are told that the young girl will always have a snake (AIDS?) as company and that the family must try to become used to it.
	Beauty Ndlovu - Virgin Testing Tableau August 2002 As described by Beauty Ndlovu, the mother and her friend are checking the girls to see if they are still virgins as they realize in the community that if you are a virgin you are safe from AIDS.
	Beauty Ndlovu - Human Tower July 2002 The young wife, positioned at the top of the human tower, has just learned that her husband is HIV positive. Upon hearing this she runs back to her community, who, as her sisters, her aunts and her mothers, protect her by pushing her up to the top of the human tower--out of the reach of her husband. The question remains how long can they keep this up?

Descriptions and background information regarding these tableaux and their rural women artists courtesy of "Rural Crafts and HIV/AIDS Awareness KZN: A Partnership in Rural Women's Development" prepared by Kate Wells, 2000 and from Kim Sacks Gallery in Johannesburg, South Africa.