Play-Doh Zambian Style

Lily Digs For Clay

The other day as I was out walking I saw several children exploring several holes near the road. This caught my attention as it was my understanding that these were rat holes. I was curious and concerned.

As it turned out the children were digging clay out of the ground. At the time I didn't ask why they were doing this. 

Later that day as I passed the gate there lay on the ground a board with little figurines molded out of clay. Apparently set out in the sun to dry, there was a clay bowl with berries in it, what looked like a couch and several chairs, and a car with a razor cover for a windshield that looked like Lightening McQueen~except it wasn't red.

Clay Artwork

Children love to have their pictures taken, and even though I only needed one snap of someone digging, they all had to take a turn reenacting the clay dig. The whole time they were excavating I was thinking of rodents.

Once the children gather enough clay, they mix it with water. After molding their objects they put them in the sun to dry. 

Even more remarkable to me is what lay underneath the clay figurines. They had placed their artwork on a painting by one of the orphan boys, Gift. In the past Tracy and I have bought some of Gift's paintings~a bit primitive, but done well. Gift clearly has talent. His tempera painting reminded me of Thomas Lawrence's portrait, Pinkie, only this was an African version. Instead of facing front, the girl has her back to the viewer, 

 clasping her hat behind her. Clothed in red and
 white, the girl has no facial features. 

Gift really shows promise~I think I've found a home for some tempera paints I'm not using. Also, is anyone out there interested in  mentoring Zambia's Thomas Lawrence?