Naeku and the Lion
Naeku and the Lion is a in-progress children’s book about the Maasai people of East Africa. The text is written by Olivia Groening, with illustrations by me, Sage! Below are a selection of illustrations that have been made so far.
Naeku looks out onto the plains in the evening. She closes the gate to the boma enclosure.
Left: A woman cooks ugali, corn meal.
Right: A woman shows off the many uses of a kanga, including a baby carrier and a headscarf.
Both these illustrations were made for the glossary at the end of the book.
Right: Daytime boma with Naeku carrying water on her head.
Right: Naeku uses a stick to retrieve a ball stuck in the acacia tree.
Left: Daytime landscape with Mount Kilimanjaro, bomas, and acacia trees visible.
Left: Naeku and her mother greet Naeku’s uncle who is leading a camel safari.
Naeku watches her mother cook ugali for supper.
Left: Two women speak Swahili (the national language of Tanzania) and Maa (the Maasai language).
Below: A woman shows off her beaded jewellery.
These illustrations were made for the glossary.
Left: A boma in the evening.
Right: Naeku milks the cow.
Below: Sandals made by the Maasai out of repurposed tires.
Stay tuned for more illustrations as the project continues!