Part of a SAQA KS/MO/OK Regional Exhibition, called ‘living-language-land’ Inspired. Inspired by the living-language-land.org project, UK, 26 words, contributed by minority & endangered language holders around the world, reflecting on their relationship to land and nature. Participants created a piece of fiber art inspired by one of the words.

Word: Yii: Tree, wood, medicinal plant.
Origin: Khwedam, Northeastern Namibia.
Artist Statement: A tree can be defined as “a tall plant that can live a very long time. It has a single stem or trunk and branches that support leaves. Beneath the ground, a tree has a root system that acts as an anchor and stores the water and nutrients the plant needs to grow”.

In Old English, the word ‘tree’ was ‘treow’, which not only meant tree but also ‘trust’ or ‘promise’.
I took this word on as a last-minute challenge. I love trees. Each tells a story of growth and existence, through hard times and good. This tree is somewhat whimsical, with its color scheme and curlicue branches, but is still shows strength. A good lesson for all of us.