This virtue pays tribute to the sacred kinship between humans and the animal kingdom as recognized in African cosmology. Animals are seen not only as part of nature, but as spiritual beings, teachers, and carriers of divine intelligence. In many traditions, like the Samburu of Kenya, elephants are regarded as kin, symbolizing deep interdependence and respect.

To honor them is to recognize our interconnectedness with all life, drawing lessons from their attributes; courage from the lion, wisdom from the elephant, agility from the antelope. This reverence fosters humility, spiritual awareness, and a deeper connection to the divine order. We see this reverence in the way ancient Kemet portrayed deities with animal features, like Anubis the jackal or Sekhmet the lioness, reflecting a spiritual understanding of their importance.

In today’s world, we witness the cost of severing this sacred relationship; extinction, mass industrial farming, and genetic manipulation. When animals disappear, so does the unique wisdom they offer. The mass commercialization of animal life reflects a disconnection from their divine essence, creating ripple effects in both nature and human consciousness.

The artwork depicts a man locking eyes with a zebra; an intimate moment of mutual recognition. Behind them, gold motifs of land, sea, and air creatures echo the ancient African fabric designs that once celebrated animal life. This scene is a reminder that when we honor the role of animals, we not only honor the Earth but also the divine intelligence flowing through them.