Visual Representation of Bessie Head's Work

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[Warning: There are quite a lot of image files for this page, and it may take a while to load them all.]

In the course ENG453 (taught from January to April 2004 by Ms. S. Tumedi and Dr. M. Lederer) one assignment asked students (working in groups) to produce visual representations of aspects of Bessie Head's work. This page shows some of the groups and their work.

This assignment was designed to allow students to interpret particular aspects of Bessie Head's work. They were asked to translate ideas and images from her writing into a visual medium. Each group was assigned a specific topic. Along with the final representation, each group had to submit a two-page explanation or interpretation of their work. Those written assignments have not been included here. Page numbers for the assignments refer to the following editions of Head's works:

The Collector of Treasures and Other Botswana Village Tales. 1977. Oxford: Heinemann, 1992.

Maru. 1971. Oxford: Heinemann, 1995.

When Rain Clouds Gather. 1969. Oxford: Heinemann, 1995.

In each case, there is a group photo and one or more pictures of their projects, except that the video projects are not represented here. In a few cases, pictures are still being retrieved.

The projects were exhibited in the Student Union Hall at the University of Botswana. (Click here for a page on the exhibition.) The original group projects were donated to the Khama III Museum in Serowe.

1. Illustrate a scene from one of the fiction texts

"This assignment requires you to analyze the scene that you have been assigned and to represent symbolically what you think is important about the scene. Your representation must illustrate what you think makes the scene important for understanding the text as a whole. You may represent the scene by a photograph, a drawing/painting, or a collage. You must choose objects and props that you think convey the significance of the scene."

Group 4 "Snapshots of a Wedding," the end of the story (page 80)

This group elected to represent the scene on video. This video is also available at the Khama III Museum in Serowe.

Camm, S.; Eksteen, J.; Kablay, F.; Kwena, K.; Malane, M.D.; Moapare, M.; Modibetsane, B.; Moji, T.; Motshabi, T.; Phang, M.

Group 9 "The Collector of Treasures," when Paul Thebolo offers his "gift" to Dikeledi (page 98)

Atholang, T.; Chuma, P.M.; Garebamono, P.; Masala, T.; Moagi, L.; Modise, G.; Motaosane, C.; Naphtaly, K.; Peloewetse, K.; Segobai, D.

[The above picture is an abstract representation of the scene. The dark green and black background includes sand, with twigs and cloth around the very edges, representing aspects of Dikeledi's life. The orange center represents Dikeledi's inner life. The photograph unfortunately does not show the texture of the work.]

Group 18 "The Village Saint," showing the conflict between Mma-Mompati and Mary Pule over Mompati's pay (pages 17–18)

Ezekiel, N.; Lempadi, C.; Maretele, T.; Mbalambi, K.; Moathodi, K.; Moteu, G.; Motsumi, C.K.; Pillar, M.; Tshabang, C.; Tsietso, E.K.

2. Enact a scene from one of the novels

"This assignment requires you to interpret a scene from one of the novels in a dramatic way. Your enactment must not be more than ten minutes long. You may add dialogue to the scene (in addition to what may already be written by Head) as well as other characters, gestures, etc. in order to represent the significance of the scene to the text as a whole." [Videotapes of these enactments are available at the Khama III Memorial Museum in Serowe.]

Group 3 Maru, when the pupils challenge Margaret for being a "Bushy" (pages 40–41)

Cheroze, J.; Gaokwalelwe, K.; Magosi, M.; Mantswe, M.; Morupule, A.; Moswetsi, T.J.; Pilane, P.T.; Rahube, S.; Sethibe, M.; Tsatsi, S.

Group 7 When Rain Clouds Gather, when Paulina invites Makhaya to have lunch with the women from the tobacco co-op (pages 105–06)

Gaolatlhe, G.; Goitsemang, M.; Manake, G.K.; Mogale, M.; Mojuta, K.; Molaodi, C.; Moses, B.; Nakedi, A.; Sebako, A.; Sebe, M.

Group 8 Maru, when Dikeledi brings Margaret to Moleka's office to arrange housing for her (pages 22–25)

Bengani, P.; Kgosietsile, M.; Malane, S.; McKenzie, N.; Moeti, M.; Mokokwane, P.; Moseki, M.; Motshosi, G.; Ngwako, B.; Ramajoba, E.N.

Group 13 When Rain Clouds Gather, when Makhaya visits MmaMillipede (pages 123–26)

Bimbo, T.; Kgabuki, M.; Kgathola, B.; Matlhape, S.; Mayglip, J.; Moje, B.; Molefi, T.; Mononi, G.; Monyatsiwa, L.; Oitsile, I.; Tlhomelang, V.

Group 14 Maru, when Ranko tells Maru about what happened when he followed Margaret (pages 46–50)

Batlotleng, J.B.; Keakabetse, B.; Kgosimore, B.P.; Makabe, I.P.; Maphane, A.; Mbewe, M.; Moabankwe, T.M.; Modibedi, K.O.; Molapisi, B.; Sejabosigo, J.

3. Illustrate an essay

"This assignment requires you to choose the three most significant ideas from one of the essays and to use objects, photos, etc. to visually represent those ideas. You may represent the final work in any medium you wish."

Group 1 "For Serowe: A Village in Africa"

Dipebe, G.; Gabegwe, S.; Kgosimolao, N.; Kgosinaga, O.; Lebotse, O.; Mathodi, N.; Mokgalagadi, B.; Morake, B.; Segomotso, T.; Tautona, G.

Group 6 "Notes from a Quiet Backwater I"

Lucas, G.; Maiye, K.; Mochiphisi, M.; Modiegi, T.; Mokgedi, T.; Molefe, D.V.; Molelu, A.; Ntesang, R.; Shaibu, B.; Tidimatso, B.

[The row of pictures at bottom centre in the picture above show Michael Jackson at different times of his life.]

4. Create a portrait of a character

"This assignment requires you to create a physical picture of a character from one of the fictional texts. You may do so by either a drawing/painting or a photograph. You may use props, clothing, setting, and gesture to illustrate what you think are the most important aspects of the character."

Group 5 Neo from "Snapshots of a Wedding"

Dipogiso, G.; Kefilwe, K.; Moatshe, G.; Mokalake, K.; Motshidisi, S.; Mpulubusi, B.W.; Ntau, T.; Reobonye, P.; Seeletso, G.; Sekwenyane, T.

[The picture above includes a small photograph to the left of the door. This photograph is shown below at full size.]

Group 11 Dikeledi from "The Collector of Treasures"

Bogatsu, K.; Khubamang, E.; Matong, D.; Mochedise, H.; Modisa, D.O.; Moyo, M.L.; Pheto, T.; Reetsang, B.; Seanana, K.; Seitshiro, G.P.; Thandazela, S.

Group 12 Paulina from When Rain Clouds Gather

Assan, T.; Chaba, A.; Dibe, O.; Kentse, K.; Lempadi, I.; Moalosi, P.; Molefe, P.; Mosimanegape, S.; Peter, A.; Sebeelo, T.

Group 16 Pete from Maru

Bimbo, K.; Chigala, N.; Makgeng, M.R.T.; Marapane, F.G.; Mbakile, T.P.; Moloi, D.; Monthe, S.N.; Ntsowe, E.P.M.; Odhiambo, M.; Sebati, E.

Group 17 Dinorego from When Rain Clouds Gather

Kethoilwe, O.; Mabudi, O.; Morwaang, B.; Morwaang, T.; Moswang, B.; Motswiri, A.K.; Nkwane, A.; Thakadu, L.; Tselaesele, A.

Group 19 Margaret from Maru

Keikitse, K.P.; Legwaila, O.; Masocha, M.; Matlhogojane, N.; Mmolawa, G.P.; Ntereke, K.; Ntshekisang, T.; Phitlho, G.

5. Illustrate a story

"For this assignment, you must represent the situation of 'The Special One' symbolically. You may represent this situation in any way you wish. You may create a photograph, a drawing/painting, or a collage. You must choose objects and props that you think convey the significance of your representation."

Group 15

Gaorewe, O.; Gatang, G.; Joel, B.; Maphorisa, T.; Moatle, M.; Molaodi, R.; Mompati, M.F.; Mosala, N.M.; Nchile, B.; Sekaba, L.R.