Congo Tales – The Two Nkééngé Sisters, Pieter Henket, 2018

Congo Tales – The Two Nkééngé Sisters, Pieter Henket, 2018

inkjet print, h 1213mm × w 1613mm × d 40mm More details
© Pieter Henket

An ancient rainforest myth is part of the Congolese oral tradition. The tale tells of two infertile sisters who would become pregnant if they crossed the forest without glancing back. One sister turned around and gave birth to an ugly boy, the other to a beautiful girl. The first sister swapped babies and drowned her sibling and son, who continued to roam the riverbed like ghosts. With the help of the river crab, the river spirits released them and reunion followed.