Peacebuilding charity International presented a photography exhibition at the juste titled - Peace blooms: Cattle, conflict and the roses of Lake Naivasha at the RHS Rose Show in London on 29-30 May, 2015.
The exhibition will bring to life the fascinating stories of rose farmers and traditional Maasai pastoralists living around Lake Naivasha, a vital freshwater source in the dry Rift Valley of Kenya, exploring the linkages between horticulture, natural resources and conflict in the country.
The lake provides 70% of all roses on the UK market. These roses are vital for the Kenyan economy and the livelihoods of many, especially women. But a single rose stem requires 10 litres of fresh water to reach its full size, so the industry puts a huge strain on the scarce water resources in the country.
This sometimes causes tensions between the different groups relying on the water – for instance, between the rose farmers and Maasai cattle herders, who use the lake to sustain their livestock – and can even lead to violence.
Dan Smith, Secretary General of International Alert, said: “By following the story of the rose and the cattle, we hope people will understand the compound detrimental effects of water shortages and join in a discussion about how the sustainable and fair management of water and other natural resources can support peace and stability.
“For us in the UK, roses epitomise something beautiful and loving. We are encouraged – even expected – to buy them, but we take them for granted. We wanted to highlight some of the complexities behind it, so that people can think a bit more about where their daily comforts – even flowers – are coming from.”
Peace Blooms was informed by Peace Audit: Kenya ─ the first in a series of International Alert’s peace assessments giving the public the opportunity to immerse themselves in the lessons and cultural narratives of communities affected by conflict. The exhibition was launched at Hoxton Gallery in London around Valentine’s Day 2015.