Artist Zainab Odemwingie Launches 'My African Baby' to Preserve Cultural Heritage
Legendary Nigerian artist and researcher Zainab Odemwingie has launched an initiative, 'My African Baby', to preserve African cultural heritage. Supported by the African Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF), Odemwingie aims to reconnect younger generations with their cultural roots through storytelling, education, and creative expression.
Influenced by Bruce Onobrakpeya and Vincent van Gogh, Odemwingie sees art as a duty to protect and preserve the soul of African culture. Her works, such as 'Ivie Ogho', 'Faces of Ancestry', and 'Fulani Elegance', serve as visual narratives connecting history with contemporary African identity. Odemwingie's initiative explores how traditional stories can be preserved through technology, ensuring culture stays relevant and adaptable for future generations.
Through 'My African Baby', Odemwingie seeks to reintroduce Benin folklore and African heritage to younger generations at risk of losing connection with their cultural roots and ancestral wisdom. She believes preserving Nigeria's rich folklore helps prevent the erosion of indigenous practices and ensures they are passed down authentically. Odemwingie has explored comics and virtual reality projects to engage younger audiences and make African heritage more accessible through modern digital platforms.
Odemwingie's call for the preservation of African folklore is a testament to her commitment to protecting cultural identity and traditional values from being lost to globalization. Her acclaimed works and the 'My African Baby' initiative serve as a reminder of the importance of preserving African heritage for future generations.
