Sr.Hildegund Kleiser OSB (1887-1967; Missionary in the area of Peramiho 1929-1935, then in Ndanda until her death) was an experienced photographer. Her pictures are not intended to report daily life, but they have a message.
This picture obviously wants to reflect on the encounter of two different cultures. The European (P.Pirmin Fleck) is a symbol of modern civilisation as shown by his clothes and weapon (the gun was essential because of the dangerous animals). The African on the contrary stands for the stereotype of the "noble savage" as indicated by his noble bearing. The missionary does not look at the father, but at the son, who is looking up to him. The youth is the future, because the little one will attend school, will adapt to civilisation and become a Christian. On the other hand the child is standing beside his father, meaning the father won't loose his boy by sending him to the missionary's school. Africa will loose neither dignity nor identity in the encounter with Christianity.

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