Ahakeye (Bush Plum) Dreaming MB054521-Elizabeth Mpetyane

In this painting, Elizabeth paints the bush plum (dot work). This is a very important story for Elizabeth that belongs to her country. This story, its songs, dances and symbols have been passed down to Elizabeth from her father. The ahakeye, called bush plum in English by Elizabeth, is also known as the native currant or citrus. It belongs to the canthium attenuatum shrub which grows about 3m high. This shrub produces small white flowers, deep green citrus-like leaves and the ahakeye which are black when ripe and very small. This fruit is favoured for its sweet taste and can be reconstituted in water if dry.