The vibrant afternoon sun accentuates the intricate, hand-painted designs on the mud walls of a round, thatched hut in Peggy Masuku’s village of Matobo, Zimbabwe. As she sits outside, Masuku explains the process of blending soil pigments, charcoal, and ash to achieve the earthy tones that give life to her bold motifs. At 54, she’s widely regarded as one of the finest artisans in southwestern Zimbabwe, where hut painting is not only a revered tradition but also a source of income and cultural pride.

Amagugu International Heritage Center

The region’s hut painting heritage is gaining international attention, with Masuku and her fellow artists finding a market for their art as far as Europe. This demand has brought a welcome source of income to rural artisans, who now see their craft appreciated on a global scale. For Masuku, the journey began with an early chore imposed by her stepmother. “I initially saw it as tough,” she recalls, “but it became a powerful training ground.”

Amagugu International Heritage Center

Masuku’s art found initial recognition through the “My Beautiful Home” competition, founded in 2014 by Veronique Attala, a French woman who was inspired by the local art’s uniqueness. Since then, interest has grown, with initiatives like the German Embassy’s Matobo Collection showcasing her designs on textiles, flowerpots, and other items. This project, in collaboration with Zimbabwe’s National Gallery, compensates artists with royalties, promoting Matobo’s rich heritage abroad.

Elgar Maphosa outside her kitchen in Matobo, Zimbabwe /AFP

Elgar Maphosa, another local artist, marvels at how their routine craft has evolved into a source of livelihood, commenting, “I never thought this would bring us income.” Cultural historian Pathisa Nyathi notes that while these designs originally communicated community beliefs, their aesthetic appeal now transcends borders, introducing Zimbabwean traditions to new audiences. As younger artisans embrace the craft, Matobo’s hut painting legacy is set to inspire and empower generations to come.

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