Ikamba

This photograph and headpiece is created by Meliibees. Meliibees is a multidisciplinary artist and curator from The Netherlands. Being a child of diaspora who grew up far away from her roots, she likes to explore her heritage in her artworks. This photograph series is called "Ikamba" which means crown in Kinyarwanda. With this series, Meliibees is challenging the word "intore" which means warrior. Rwandan cultural character Ndabaga inspired Meliibees to create these series. Ndabaga is praised for succeeding her father in "Intorero", a sort of training camp to become a warrior. Healthy men used to serve the Rwandan kingdom. After men retire being a warrior, sons had to replace their fathers.Back then, women did not participate in Intorero, but she decided to go for it. She is known for her excellent phsysical skills and strength in fights. Until this day, Ndabaga is celebrated in oral and written storytelling. She is praised for going against traditional gender roles. The headpiece model is wearing is called Umugara, which is normally worn by traditional male dancers. Meliibees gave it a little twist and re-imagined how it could be designed for women.