An Alternative Interpretation of Justin Dingwall's "Reroute"

This photograph created by Justin Dingwall, a South African artist, is a metaphorical representation and a social commentary on the emigration fever currently plaguing the African youth population. In Nigeria it is generally known as the "japa movement." Each fashion item worn by the model is symbolic to this idea, and can be interpreted thus:

The elements of transportation (Aeroplane, motorbike and bicycle) worn as a headdress signifies thoughts of movement: travelling, flying etc.

The matted woven nylon bag worn on her body, which we all know as"Ghana-must-go," symbolically inherits its name from the 1983 deportation mandate given by the then President of Nigeria, Shehu Shagari, which saw the emigration of over 2 million foreigners from Nigeria, including about 1 million Ghanians. In this vein, the bag is seen internationally as an archetype of migration.

Therefore, the photographer employs symbolism to portray the current psychosocial reality of the African youth.

He writes: "This is where we find ourselves. We are in the moment of being rerouted. We face a choice for a different path, a new course, an unfamiliar way to get to our destination."

Conclusively, statistics have shown that 89% of Africans aged 20-45 have either left, or are on the verge of leaving their countries to search for "greener pastures" in the Western world.

-Biscongirl

June 2022