kafinta

Year

2025

Projects

shaping the future and wood.

the story

In African communities, it is a common practice for young boys to learn a trade under a master craftsman. Carpentry is more than just work — it is a tradition, a path to independence, and for many, a way to escape joblessness. Boys were sent by their families or came on their own, knowing that years of apprenticeship could lead to a respected skill and a future business of their own.

In Jako’s carpentry workshop, discipline is non-negotiable. Years of hard labor have shaped Jako into a man of few words but firm principles. His apprentices understand the rules — except for Obinna, the Minister of Lateness himself. Every morning, while others are already at work, Obinna arrives sluggish and unprepared. His lateness is met with the same consequence: kneeling on the bare floor while his peers look on. Obinna’s hands are steady, his talent undeniable. But talent without discipline holds no value.

characters

jako

we approached jako’s character design with a focus on strength and discipline. We envisioned him as a man of precision, both in his craft and his character. Years of experience shaping wood into fine furniture inspired us to portray jako not only as a master carpenter but also as a builder of people. His broad shoulders and muscular arms reflect the physicality of his trade, while his calm, focused demeanor reveals his role as a teacher and mentor.

His workshop isn’t just a workplace—it’s a space where young apprentices find not only a skill but also a sense of direction, often looking up to him as a father figure. Through careful attention to silhouette, posture, and expression, we captured a character who stands strong—not just with his hands, but with his heart.

obinna

Obinna is not like the other apprentices. He is stubborn, bold enough to challenge instructions yet determined enough to never walk away. He had a fire in him, one that refused to be extinguished, no matter how many times he was corrected or scolded. Beneath his defiance was a deep hunger to learn. When no one was watching, he would run his fingers over the smooth edges of a finished chair, tracing the craftsmanship he hoped to achieve.

emmanuel

Emmanuel is the most experienced apprentice in Jako’s shop. As the oldest among the apprentices, he had spent years perfecting his craft—his hands steady with the hammer, his measurements precise, his focus unwavering. Though firm, Emmanuel is patient. He had been in their shoes once, making mistakes and learning from Jako’s strict but fair discipline. Now, he balanced being a student and a leader.

samson

Samson is the kind of apprentice every carpenter wanted—steady, disciplined, and deeply committed to his craft. Unlike the younger boys who came and went, uncertain of their paths, Samson had been in Jako’s shop for years, working his way up from fetching tools to handling the more delicate tasks of woodworking.

He is strong, not just in build but in patience. While others rushed their work, Samson moved with a careful precision, measuring twice before cutting once. He rarely spoke unless necessary, letting his work prove his skill.

the workshop

a carpenter’s shop is a world of its own—where raw wood transforms into something useful, and sawdust settles like a second skin. The air carries the scent of fresh timber mixed with the sharp tang of varnish. Hammers echo against nails, saws hum through planks, and chisels carve out precise details.
Wooden workbenches, stained from years of labor, hold scattered tools—measuring tapes, screwdrivers, and clamps—each with its own story. Leaning against the walls are stacks of wood, waiting for their turn under skilled hands. In one corner, unfinished chairs and tables stand in various stages of completion,
The shop is a place of discipline and patience, where apprentices learn not just to shape wood, but to shape themselves, through sweat, skill, and the steady rhythm of hard work.