or
Ingwe eshla
"Yes and how many times can a man turn his head Pretending that he just doesn't see ?"
"Yes and how many times must a man look up , before he can really see the sky "
Bob Dylan
Sometimes
– you just have to be there to see it - , the intense oranges of an African
sunset as the last light caresses the trees and the shadows begin to relax into
the dusk, it seems like the everything breathes again after gasping in the sweltering October midday
heat.
Its
business as usual on the pan , groups of Elephant coming and going in a
seemingly organized and yet completely disorganized fashion – approaching the water sometimes quietly
, and sometimes at a run as the scent of water becomes irresistible- and then leaving so that others may drink.
Pans
like this one have provided refreshment for countless generations of elephants and
wildlife over the years. They beckon as a meeting place -and there is a sensation , an intoxicating
blend of elephant dung , mud and “Africa” ,that infiltrates your sense
,combined with an intense feeling
of freedom –and wonder as we watch
this incredible interaction – a feeling of “Now “. And then there is the noise
, oh the noise is incredible day and night –as the groups of elephant meet , greet and gather
.
Whilst
this is reality to me and some of you in that we have been there and witnessed
this , to many now and to the generations beyond us it is and will be legend
and fantasy , they are and will be
stories and tales that are in their imaginations spinning like dried leaves on
a breeze they settle in the minds of only those who are aware ,some of whom will never witness such a spectacle – whilst we
– we have the incredible privilege of being there , of watching and trying to
understand , where we come from , because this the earth , she is our Mother ,
and where we come from !
I
believe strongly , that as a species we have a duty to preserve , and protect
this , and most of all learn from it Through awareness -we have the power to
assist and nurture this – so that the generations from now ,they too can also
learn , how its supposed to be .
This Painting is 2.5 m wide
, and tells the story of Ngweshla Pan , a meeting place of Elephants and many
other species .Painted with Oil on canvas , it captures that almost
unbelievable show that takes place daily on this pan and many others like it in the pristine wildlife areas of Zimbabwe .
Will Maberly 2013
