Nyiize

Abstract

Nyiize was made by Rev Dr. Kefa Ssempangi and located at MISR Quadrangle, between 1965-66. Context: Nyiize was a snake, in the viper species of Bitis arietans or commonly known as a Puff adder, or Ssalambwa in Ganda language, which lived by the stony hill in a place called Kawoomya in Bugerere, currently Kayunga district in Uganda. The hill had many snakes but ‘Nyiize’ stood out. In the sculpture is a snake, a man, woman and a child all embroiled by a snake. Even though the puff adder is a venomous specie, this snake was not supposed to be scary. The artist was trying to commemorate his childhood in Bugerere. He grew up in Bugerere, which is located in Central Uganda, approximately 74 kilometers east of Kampala city. There was a place called Nyiize and people from that place were referred to as people of Nyiize (Ab’e Nyiize). In the sculpture, the snake represented blessings rain, while the people, ie the man referred to as ‘Nyinimu’ or head of the household, his wife and child represent the community of Nyiize. These people had a common belief in the snake and that they should not annoy ‘Nyiize’ by not caring for him. The snake embroidering the family symbolized the common bond of the people of Nyiize (with the snake). So Nyiize was both a snake but also came to be the name of that place. The sculpture was part of his student’ course work for the bachelor’s program. It was started in 1965 and completed in 1966. Mr. Kingdon, a lecturer from the School of Fine Art later preferred that the sculpture be installed in the Institute of Social Research (MISR) most probably because it was connected with the community. The Institute at that time was headed by Mr. Aman