The word value is broader, a concept that extends way too beyond my intended coverage of the subject. But tonight I will focus my lens not on its breadth but on why meaning may be evoked from this word.

Oftentimes, we believe in certain things for their value. A case may be jewellery, religion, tribe or even beauty. My case study seeks not to answer the question of why we find things valuable, but what makes them valuable.

Value is a state of mind, an abstract concept, an idea and an epistemological state of both consciousness and unconsciousness to which we attach certain importance and as well gain it. Technically, the thing or concept itself is not valuable, but the belief that it is important is what woos our appreciation and adoration.

We often marvel at the grandeur of gold, but what makes it special or important? It's the non-reactive, portable, non-toxic and fairly rare nature of it that draws us. It is abundant enough to create coins, but scarce enough that not everyone can find it and make their gold coins. Gold's unique properties also mean it cannot be manufactured or counterfeited; nothing compares to the real thing. That's why a woman presented with a golden watch for her birthday will place so much value on that which is given and the giver. Without the belief in the importance of such qualities in things, we wouldn't value gold.

Secondly, pilgrims trouble themselves to travel to holy places, not for fun and adventure. There is a deep motivation for the need to connect with God at a more advanced and deeper level of spiritualism. Several pilgrims travel to Namugongo in memory of the Uganda martyrs every year for spiritual revival. Likewise, the Muslims travel to Mecca not because they see others going (though that may be a motivation for some) but because that is where they believe spiritual value is found.

In 1911, at the poorly guarded Louvre Museum, an amateur Italian painter and handyperson known as Vincenzo Peruggia, who believed stole the world's most famous art (the Mona Lisa) that France robbed Italy of this great work. Peruggia was also placed under the mistaken belief that Napoleon had looted the painting during his Italian campaign. A pretty good guess this was. However, as a matter of clarity, Da Vinci's Mona Lisa was not among the looted works.

French king Francois legally purchased some of Da Vinci's paintings after his death, the Mona Lisa among them. Peruggia, just like the Pilgrims that trekked to Namugongo, found a certain innate quality of historical value to the piece, hence that explains why he stole it.

During world war two also the piece was stolen by the German Nazis, only to be received later. The artwork wasn't as famous as it is today, but the fact that it was involved in one of the most famous heists in art history made men believe that the piece was as valuable and famous as it is today.

Therefore, value doesn't exist in things, but men's belief in the innate quality inculcated within history, importance or other eventualities may inspire them.