“Time no bi lie.” The old saying carries more weight the longer you live. It holds within it the quiet wisdom of experience, the rhythm of growth, and the echoes of past choices. For me, those words hit differently now.

Years ago, when men were still boys, as we like to say, I began creating a series of shields. Back then, I was in the thick of it: young, searching, lost, and found in the same breath. I was on a personal pilgrimage, chasing the elusive spark of my artistic identity. I didn’t realize it at the time, but each shield I shaped, moulded, and brought to life was planting the seeds for a creative journey that would come full circle over two decades later.

Today, standing at this more seasoned chapter of my life, I look back with clarity. Those shields weren’t just abstract expressions. They were, and still are, markers of transformation, chapters in a visual diary that continues to unfold. They’ve become integral to my artistic voice, anchoring me to a truth I once only sensed in my spirit.

More than just art objects, the shields represent something deeper—unity. Each one tells a story of connection and community, of how strength multiplies when we move as one. Whether it’s the tight embrace of family or the extended rhythm of society, these relationships are our first line of defence. Togetherness becomes a shield of its own—resilient, protective, and powerful.

And let’s be real, protection is a primal need. Whether it’s from emotional wounds, physical harm, sickness, or unseen enemies, we all crave that sense of safety. My shields embody that longing, a symbolic armour for the soul. They are reminders that while life’s jungle may mature and grow wilder, the bonds we form, the love we nurture, and the communities we build are what truly protect us.

So yes, jungle don mature. And in this matured jungle, these shields stand tall, not just as artifacts of a past exploration, but as living proof that sometimes, the things we create in our youth carry truths that only time can fully reveal.

Written by Abdulrazaq Ahmed. All images and photographs courtesy of Abdulrazaq Ahmed

Rewritten and edited by Ireho Aito for iBAND Magazine.