A POST BY: CHELSEA
I love color — it’s one of the many ways that I see beauty in the world and celebrate God’s creativity.
It’s also a fun lens through which to explore new geographical and cultural spaces.
Here, I’m sharing snapshots of color that have caught my eye during our first five months in Rwanda. In part, I wanted to assemble these photos in the same space because I don’t always see this variety of color all at once in Rwanda: this, like any collection of pictures, is curated.
A typical view of Kigali often looks like green (lots of it, largely because of agriculture), red-orange (dirt roads and construction sites), patio & brick earth tones, and light yellow buildings with terracotta-colored roofs. Because of this, my first impression of Rwanda was that it was pretty uniform. But as expected, after frequenting and peering into smaller physical and cultural spaces over the span of several months, I’ve discovered more. Kigali may not have the bright facades of Mexico (sigh), where I visited my sister before we moved to Africa, but over time I’ve both (1) sought out color here and (2) been pleasantly confronted by it. And I celebrate that!
I hope this collection not only brings a splash of vibrance to your day, but helps you get to know Rwanda a bit better, too.
Soon after we moved to Rwanda, I noticed that while Rwandans didn’t seem to have terribly colorful buildings, it seems that they enjoy applying the colors of their beautiful flag — blue, green, and yellow — in different places, like these cheerful bicycles.
These blooms were an eye-catcher from our very first wanderings in the eco-parks here. As an extra perk, they attract colorful little sunbirds!
Kitenge (the colorful African fabric showcased below this sewing machine) challenges my perception of uniformity in Rwanda!
I love kitenge, which many Rwandan women wear on a daily basis. Every dress or skirt has a unique color combo and pattern. When I’m out and about, I love noticing different kitenge patterns all across the city.
Light exterior walls and terracotta-colored roofs seem to grace the homes of rich and poor alike. I found the “usual colors” to be beautiful against the green and blue of the earth and sky one sunny afternoon.
Red, white, and black are historically the most common colors on these pieces of decorative art, which are traditionally made from dried cow dung. Other colors are used too, though — a couple of these ones feature the Rwandan flag!
On a trip toward the north of the country, I loved the interplay between cultivated and forested land as well as sun and shadow.
Some of the most common handcrafts in Rwanda are finely woven bowls and plates, each with a distinct color scheme and pattern. This piece, patterned like the interior of a passion fruit, definitely came home with me!
We pass this wall each time we walk to church or to the supermarket on top of the hill. I always like seeing this weathered wall; it reminds me of growing up in Florida.
The different sections of beiges and browns on this eucalyptus tree reminded me of a paint-by-number picture! The green moss added a splash of additional texture and character.
I liked this view on a recent hike out of the city — blue walls in the foreground, “blue” hills in the background, and lots of other colors sandwiched between.
Okay, we imported this bright red. 🙂 Evie loves the rain!!
When you live in one place for a while — however spectacular or ordinary the view — you get the privilege of seeing it at different times of day and through different seasons. The light shifts, the clouds roll on, and it’s up to us to notice the beauty!
2 replies on “colors of Rwanda: a photo tour”
Thank you for sharing the colors of Rowanda and a peek into the world your family is in. Loved your descriptive language and insights. Praying for you and yours. Love, Kate
We always appreciate your prayers! Thank you for the kind words. 🙂