The Stories
Apac Anthill Grey – P010
This shade of grey was discovered by Nancy (team member) one morning. She had visited their village, in Apac and on her way back from the well, she saw an anthill that was grey in color near a well (known as “Biasara”) in Apac Municipality, Kwania District. Grey anthills are not common. It is said that most of the grey anthills are found in swampy areas. According to the villagers, this anthill Grey is used traditionally to paint huts, to decorate walls during festive seasons, and for making bricks.

AYINET Anthill – P072
AYINET Anthill is a medium brown that we discovered right outside our studio in Lira City. This anthill is a source of edible white ants, and it is also a hiding place for bush animals like giant rats (known as “Obaa”). Traditionally, only men are allowed to eat the ants. The anthill had built itself inside the AYINET compound for years. We named it “AYINET Anthill” because that’s where we discovered it. This brown anthill color traditionally is used in villages for painting huts and walls.

Tuk Catan Anthill – P074
Tuk Catan is a transparent umber color, very beautiful and good when used in paintings. It was found on Akia hill in Akia village, Lira City East Division. These anthills are small and short, and commonly found in forests, hills, and swamps. The name “Catan” is a local word that comes from the word “Satan,” and some people believe that these anthills are made by the devil, and as children, we feared it so much and were warned to stay away. Collecting it now shows how much strength and courage we have gained over the years.

Akia Anthill – P075
Akia Anthill is a light, transparent brown that we discovered on an anthill on Akia Hill, in Akia village, Lira East Division. The team had been contracted as make-up artists for a movie being shot on the hill. During a break, Sharon took a short walk around and spotted this anthill. She collected a small amount and brought it back to the studio to make a pigment from it.

Obim Anthill – P077
Obim anthill color is a warm, brownish orange color that can be used to paint the human skin color in paintings. This anthill color was found on Obim hill in Apala Sub–county, Alebtong District, about 15km away from Lira City. It was literally an anthill on a hill. The team of Halmon and Dan took a trip to Obim to forage for colors. They climbed up Obim hill to source for the earth colors, and that is how they spotted the anthill, though they never expected to find anything special. Now, it’s part of our beautiful anthill colors.