Rebirth: The Ritual of Baptism by Thapelo Mahlangu - Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography
This series documents the ceremony of baptism in traditional cultures in South Africa, focusing on the rituals observed by the Xhosa people. Drawing on the poem ‘What if Water was God’ by Nigerian poet and playwright Niyi Osundare, Mahlangu explores baptism as a journey of rebirth, capturing the power of water as a sacred medium. Each image reflects themes of creation and beginning, considering baptism as an act of faith, but also as a connection to the divine flow within and around us.