Elephants and art: an empowering combination

A still from Elephant Tail Episode 1: Adventures of Nkoza and Nankya (Solomon W. Jagwe)

The beauty and might of the majestic African elephant has been a part of my life from when I was a little boy growing up in Uganda. I spent my early childhood in the Masaka countryside, with my late Paternal Grandmother. My favorite moments with her were spent sitting at her feet listening to folk tales she shared during those Kerosene Lamp lit evenings. On top of that list was the tale of Waguludene and Wanjovu (Elephant). She did her best to keep my young mind occupied even through the horrors of the Idi Amin 1979 war, painting a beautiful picture through her stories of a world where man and wildlife lived in peace and harmony, with the mighty Elephant as a leader.

I was so impacted by her great love for wildlife and storytelling, and as a child, it helped form my love for animal conservation and developed in me a desire to share with my fellow country men and women, the value of preserving the endangered wildlife in Uganda and Africa.

I decided that when I grew up I would strive to carry on her legacy. After my A-level in Uganda, I was blessed with a Scholarship to Ohio University in the USA. I later transferred to Montgomery College and George Mason University, where I pursued a degree in Art and Visual Technology. I was fortunate to get a job as an animator and 3D artist for a Studio in Virginia after my graduation. I worked in the gaming and animation industry for 14 years and enjoyed the experience. I dedicated myself to becoming a better artist and animator because in the back of my mind, the desire to create my own animated films was burning bright. That promise I made to my grandmother kept me focused on my ultimate goal of sharing the African story, and telling stories fostering a love for wildlife conservation.

In 2010, I resigned my full time position so I could work as a Freelance Artist, and embarked on creating animated films for children, championing wildlife conservation and highlighting the great work the wildlife rangers are doing in the conservation effort to protect the endangered wildlife and their natural habitat.

Currently I am working on a Children's Animated TV series and Comic Book entitled "The Adventures of Nkoza & Nankya, with a goal to foster a love for reading, African storytelling and conservation to the youth in Uganda and Africa. Episode 1 is entitled "The Elephant Tail" ~ featuring a little Ugandan girl called Nankya. We find Nankya listening to a bedtime story from her mother. The story is about a baby elephant who feels insecure about the way she looks. The core message of the story teaches the baby elephant that even with its tiny tail, it is beautiful and kind and should never be ashamed. The baby Elephant grows up to pass on the message of being proud of who you are and that everyone has value in the circle of life, leaving a long legacy as a beautiful giant of the African Savannah, and a key part to the East African Rift Valley ecosystem.

I truly believe that real change comes from empowering and educating the youth. They are the future rangers and leaders of tomorrow. If we share with them the core value of conserving the last remaining Elephants, we sow a seed that will act as a moral compass when those young people grow up to be Teachers, Doctors, Presidents, Business Leaders and Wildlife Rangers.

My hope is that as I share the story of Nkoza and Nankya, that kids in Uganda, East Africa and Africa as a whole, will be inspired to carry on the banner of conserving the last remaining mighty Elephants and their natural habitat.