In 2016, Kenyan artist Kawira Mwirichia launched To Revolutionary Type Love, a series of kangas celebrating queer love around the world.
Through open calls, members of Kenya's queer community were invited to contribute love quotes for To Revolutionary Type Love. Contributors submitted #KangaLove and #KangaSass messages that would later become part of Kawira Mwirichia's kangas.
Each design was centred on a different country and combined a community-submitted quote with references to queer histories, communities, and movements. Together, the kangas reimagined the traditional kanga as a space for love, visibility, belonging, and solidarity.
Below, we've gathered 23 kangas from the series. For each design, we've included the Kiswahili quote and its English translation.
To learn more about the symbolism, history, and organisations represented in each design, read Kawira Mwirichia's artist statement for the kanga.
NIMILIKI KWA UJASIRI. NITAKE BILA USIRI
"Claim me bravely. Want me openly."
Read Kawira's artist statement
USHOGA WANGU SI DHAMBI, SIO CHAGUO, NA HALIUMIZANI
"My queerness is not a sin, not a choice, and it harms no one."
Read Kawira's artist statement
WANIONA; KWAO SIMO ILA WEWE WANIPENDA.
"They see me; to them I am invisible, but you love me anyway."
Read Kawira's artist statement
BUSU ZAKO WANGU, SHAIRI KWA NGOZI YANGU
"Your kisses are poetry to my skin."
Read Kawira's artist statement
DUNIA HAITOSTAHIMILI ZANGU RANGI
"This world is not strong enough to withstand my colours."
Read Kawira's artist statement
PENZI HILI LASHINDA KABURI, DAIMA DAHARI!
"This love outlasts the grave, forever and ever!"
Read Kawira's artist statement
WASEMA PENZI HALIONI, ILA LANIJIA MACHONI
"They say love is blind, but I can see mine."
Read Kawira's artist statement
ASI CHUKI NA UJINGA, MWENYEWE UTAJISHTUA!
"Let go of hatred and ignorance, and you will surprise yourself!"
Read Kawira's artist statement
NDURU KWA KUGUNA, TABASAMU KWA MACHOZI, BADO TWAPENDANA
"From shouts to moans, from smiles to tears, we still love each other."
Read Kawira's artist statement
NATABIRI ITAKUJA SIKU, HATUTATESWA KWA KUPENDA
"I foresee a day when we will no longer be persecuted for loving."
Read Kawira's artist statement
INGAWA SIFAI HADHARANI, MBONA NISIWE NA AMANI MOYONI?
"Even if I don't fit in out there, why shouldn't I be at peace within myself?"
Read Kawira's artist statement
HERI WALIO KAMA PAMBO, KWAO YOTE YANA UREMBO
"Blessed are the fabulous, for they see glamour and beauty in everything."
Read Kawira's artist statement
PENZI LANGU HALALI
"My love is valid."
Read Kawira's artist statement
SIJAKENGEUKA, NILIZALIWA HIVI USIWE NA SHAKA!
"I haven't strayed from the path; I was born this way, have no doubt!"
Read Kawira's artist statement
USIKUBALI MWENGINE AKWAMBIE ULIVYO
"Don't accept someone else's definition of who you are. Define yourself."
Read Kawira's artist statement
SIMAMA NA MPENZIYE, SIMAMA NASI
"Stand with your lover, stand with us."
Read Kawira's artist statement
HAIWEZEKANI, NYEUPE NA NYEUSI PEKEE ZIWE RANGI ZA MAPENZI
"It isn't possible that black and white alone are the colours of love. They never were."
Read Kawira's artist statement
KAMA USHOGA MARADHI, BASI SOTE TUASI KAZI
"If being queer is a disease, then let's all call in sick to work."
Read Kawira's artist statement
KILA UPANDE WA NAFSI YANGU SHOGA, NI PICHA ILIYO BORA
"Every part of my queer self is a portrait of perfection."
Read Kawira's artist statement
NAAM, NITAISHI UKINIPENDA, ILA SITAKUFA UKINIKATAA
"Yes, I'll live if you love me, but I won't die if you reject me."
Read Kawira's artist statement
TWAPENDA MAHABA, WALA HATUOMBI MSAMAHA
"We love love, and we make no apologies for it."
Read Kawira's artist statement
TUSILETE CHUKI MAPENZINI
"Let's not bring hate into love."
Read Kawira's artist statement
MIE NI SHOGA, YAKUKERA NA KUKUWASHIA NINI?
"Yes, I'm queer—why does it bother you so much, my dear?"
Read Kawira's artist statement
Image source: Kanga Pride (facebook.com/kanga.pride)