To Understand Africa is an educational project presenting a compilation of words from some native African languages which do not exist in the Russian language, and probably do not have equivalents in many other languages as well.

Each page of the project features a small text about a unique word and its linguistic origin which includes the customs surrounding the word and its speech community. All of this shows the traditions and way of life of the people across Africa, bringing the reader closer to understanding this mysterious continent – hence the title To Understand Africa.

I have chosen an eye as a visual on the cover because I believe it to be a perfect metaphor for understanding. All illustrations were made with ink and then digitally coloured. Ink and paper are a perfect combination in this case to represent the energy and expressiveness in African folk art.