ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Imigongo

Imigongo is a special type of art made by people in Rwanda. It is a way of making beautiful designs and patterns using cow dung! Yes, you read that right, cow poop!

Here's how it works: artists collect the cow dung and mix it with natural materials like clay, charcoal or ash. They then use their hands to create different shapes and patterns on a flat surface, like a wall or board. Sometimes they use a small stick or tool to make the designs more detailed.

Once the design is complete, they let it dry in the sun for a few days. This makes the cow dung hard and it stays on the surface for a really long time. Next, the artists use natural pigments, like red and yellow, to color the design.

The final product is a beautiful piece of art that can be used for decoration or even to tell a story. Some imigongo designs have special meanings and tell stories from Rwanda's history.

Overall, while the idea of using cow dung may seem strange, imigongo is a unique and beautiful art form that is a special part of Rwandan culture.