N’wana wa Xinhlamune: Words that Stay + Words that resist
N’wana wa Xinhlamune is a participatory workshop that explores how language lives, moves, and returns through bodies, sound, and material forms. Organized by Gestaltung im Kontext (IKL) and MEZEKƎRƎ.
Drawing on Xitsonga concepts of n’wana (child) and xinhlamune (Four-sidedness), the workshop approaches the story not as a fixed narrative, but as something that can be broken apart and reborn through relation.
Artists Statement – Tinyiko Baloyi:
As a teacher and maker my practice centres on ontological design, with 'being' at its core, exploring profound connections with self and others. I cultivate making practices within communities, recognising the vital importance of extracting knowledge from indigenous systems. Through investigating these traditional and natural forms, I uncover and translate diverse design techniques into contemporary applications, fostering innovation and epistemological diversity. This approach foregrounds inclusivity, celebrating the profound wisdom embedded in diverse cultural practices and inspiring a deeper appreciation for craftsmanship.