This handcrafted linocut print is inspired by Cloud Princess: an African Folktale of the Sacred Feminine, a story from the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) honoring a Black Sky Goddess whose generosity is boundless and unconditional. In this folktale, a luminous Cloud Princess falls in love with a poor farmer who cannot yet believe himself worthy of her. Yet she rains upon him—and upon everyone—without judgment or demand, nourishing the land regardless of merit, success, or failure.

This story offers a powerful vision of the Sacred Feminine as abundance itself: a force that does not withhold, measure, or moralize. The Cloud Princess does not ask to be earned. She gives freely, reminding us that life is sustained by generosity that precedes deserving. Rooted in African cosmology and earth-honoring traditions, the tale affirms wholeness over perfection, holding brokenness and beauty within the same living sky.

Hand-carved and printed by hand, this linocut centers the Cloud Princess within a rural Eswatini farming landscape, surrounded by native staple crops—maize, cotton, and sorghum—along with two hares and birds. These elements speak to fertility, nourishment, and the deep interdependence between human, animal, and land. Each print carries subtle variations, making every impression a one-of-a-kind heirloom shaped by story and touch.

✧ Perfect for ✧

• Lovers of African folklore and mythology

• Those drawn to Black sacred feminine imagery

• Nature-centered, story-filled homes

• Parents, educators, and storytellers

• Readers of folklore, fairytales, and ancestral wisdom

✧ A meaningful gift for ✧

• A child’s bedroom or nursery

• A family room, library, or classroom

• A loved one whose generosity mirrors the Cloud Princess

• A partner or spouse

✧ Resources & Inspiration ✧

Cloud Princess is featured in Crowned: Magical Folk and Fairytales from the Diaspora by Kahran & Regis Bethencourt, a collection honoring classic fairytales alongside stories from the African diaspora and the African continent. The tale is also included in Nelson Mandela’s Favorite African Folktales, a beloved anthology preserving oral storytelling traditions across Africa.

PRINT SIZE: 12" x 12"
PAPER SIZE: 15" x 15"

MATERIALS: This artwork is hand carved and hand printed with archival quality Cranfield safewash (non-toxic) ink on Strathmore archival 100% cotton acid-free printmaking paper. Strathmore Paper Mills are located in Massachusetts where my studio is.

PACKAGING: This print will be carefully rolled in Kraft paper, packed in a recycled clear bag and shipped in a recycled cylindrical tube. A one-page insert including a description of the folktale is included with the print. Gift wrap is possible, please mention it in your note to seller.

SHIPPING: All my prints are packaged and shipped out within 1-3 business days. Free shipping for U.S. Customers. International customers, please purchase this print on Etsy. I no longer provide international shipping through this website.

Questions? Please contact me.

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