“The Lion Guardian”
18×18 (inches)
The stylized depiction of Masai warrior as a “protector” of the lion.
The Masai tribe live in Kenya and Tanzania. For centuries, they were known for killing lions to save their live hood and as for traditional purpose. In order for a boy to become a man, he needed to kill the lion, and that way to show his power over one of the most dangerous predators.
Nowadays, most of the Masai tribes waived this tradition, and turned to protect the lions from illegal hunting. The group,”Lion Guardians,” in collaboration with Masai warriors was organized in order to protect these predators. Nowadays, Masai are guarding lion instead of killing them.
Masai is also well-known as very industrialized tribe, even though they still live in the wild habitat. That tribe lifestyle is only for attracting tourists and get profit from them. Though, the Lion Guardians is not the only way Masai are protecting the lions instead of killing them. The “tribes” have their own “Olympic” games. The participants compete in different physical exercises. The winner becomes a man, so no animal is killed that way.
In the piece, “The Lion Guardian,” I wanted to show the change of old Masai tradition that was drawn by the wast and cruel killing of lions. Painting the warrior in front of the lion was the way to show the “protective gesture” from the human without showing any aggression against the animal.
