Angela and I first met in Africa in 1978 we were both dedicated to the pursuit of
we were both dedicated to the pursuit of
we were both dedicated to the pursuit of recording the ancient cultures
recording the ancient cultures
recording the ancient cultures we envisioned that one day we would
we envisioned that one day we would
we envisioned that one day we would create a comprehensive visual record of
create a comprehensive visual record of
create a comprehensive visual record of the most powerful ceremonies that move
the most powerful ceremonies that move
the most powerful ceremonies that move African people through life
and we realize that each time we come
and we realize that each time we come back but these wonderful values are
back but these wonderful values are
back but these wonderful values are becoming missing from our world
tonight we’re going to show you a
tonight we’re going to show you a selection of ceremonies and rituals
selection of ceremonies and rituals
selection of ceremonies and rituals which highlight some of the oldest forms
which highlight some of the oldest forms
which highlight some of the oldest forms of body decoration on the continent body
of body decoration on the continent body
of body decoration on the continent body painting is one of the oldest art forms
painting is one of the oldest art forms
painting is one of the oldest art forms in Africa evidence of its origins can be
in Africa evidence of its origins can be
in Africa evidence of its origins can be found in early cave paintings and rock
found in early cave paintings and rock
found in early cave paintings and rock engravings that date back to the Stone
engravings that date back to the Stone
engravings that date back to the Stone Age a recent discovery in the blombo’s
Age a recent discovery in the blombo’s
Age a recent discovery in the blombo’s caves in South Africa reveals the
caves in South Africa reveals the
caves in South Africa reveals the pigments including red and yellow ochre
pigments including red and yellow ochre
pigments including red and yellow ochre were used to decorate the human body as
were used to decorate the human body as
were used to decorate the human body as far back as 100,000 years in remote
far back as 100,000 years in remote
far back as 100,000 years in remote areas of Africa
areas of Africa
areas of Africa you can still see body painters
you can still see body painters
you can still see body painters recreating themselves everyday
recreating themselves everyday
recreating themselves everyday absolutely without the taboos that we
absolutely without the taboos that we
absolutely without the taboos that we associate with the naked body in these
associate with the naked body in these
associate with the naked body in these corners they actually look at the whole
corners they actually look at the whole
corners they actually look at the whole body and they see the body as a
body and they see the body as a
body and they see the body as a beautiful form with every part being
beautiful form with every part being
beautiful form with every part being equal and possible to be painted what
equal and possible to be painted what
equal and possible to be painted what we’ve loved in Africa is that body
we’ve loved in Africa is that body
we’ve loved in Africa is that body painting is really like a celebration
painting is really like a celebration
painting is really like a celebration people have an amazing amount of
people have an amazing amount of
people have an amazing amount of excitement and energy around body
excitement and energy around body
excitement and energy around body painting because for them it’s
painting because for them it’s
painting because for them it’s life-affirming it’s spontaneous it’s
life-affirming it’s spontaneous it’s
life-affirming it’s spontaneous it’s transforming and it’s also the signature
transforming and it’s also the signature
transforming and it’s also the signature of being alive in 1985 Angela and I made
of being alive in 1985 Angela and I made
of being alive in 1985 Angela and I made the first of several journeys to visit
the first of several journeys to visit
the first of several journeys to visit the soorma people who live in a remote
the soorma people who live in a remote
the soorma people who live in a remote corner of Southwest Ethiopia in order to
corner of Southwest Ethiopia in order to
corner of Southwest Ethiopia in order to get to the soorma we had to organize a
get to the soorma we had to organize a
get to the soorma we had to organize a mule train of 15 animals carrying
mule train of 15 animals carrying
mule train of 15 animals carrying everything that we could possibly need
everything that we could possibly need
everything that we could possibly need for a five week stay we traveled up and
for a five week stay we traveled up and
for a five week stay we traveled up and down over 10,000 foot mountains and we
down over 10,000 foot mountains and we
down over 10,000 foot mountains and we traveled through forests filled with
traveled through forests filled with
traveled through forests filled with exotic birds and
exotic birds and
exotic birds and as monkeys the men in boys welcomed us
as monkeys the men in boys welcomed us
as monkeys the men in boys welcomed us with song and dance and we could see by
with song and dance and we could see by
with song and dance and we could see by the way their bodies were painted that
the way their bodies were painted that
the way their bodies were painted that the courtship season had just begun we
the courtship season had just begun we
the courtship season had just begun we were extremely lucky because during this
were extremely lucky because during this
were extremely lucky because during this five weeks day we actually saw body
five weeks day we actually saw body
five weeks day we actually saw body painting happening every day and men
painting happening every day and men
painting happening every day and men women and children will come down to the
women and children will come down to the
women and children will come down to the local Dahmer River to redecorate
local Dahmer River to redecorate
local Dahmer River to redecorate themselves here we’re looking at young
themselves here we’re looking at young
themselves here we’re looking at young girls applying white chalk and ochre
girls applying white chalk and ochre
girls applying white chalk and ochre spots to the faces and they’re using a
spots to the faces and they’re using a
spots to the faces and they’re using a very small branch that is played at the
very small branch that is played at the
very small branch that is played at the tip as a paintbrush and they make these
tip as a paintbrush and they make these
tip as a paintbrush and they make these incredibly dramatic face masks and then
incredibly dramatic face masks and then
incredibly dramatic face masks and then using the splayed end of the twig as a
using the splayed end of the twig as a
using the splayed end of the twig as a stamp they would apply these wonderful
stamp they would apply these wonderful
stamp they would apply these wonderful star-shaped designs to the chest and
star-shaped designs to the chest and
star-shaped designs to the chest and backs the sauna have an a wonderful
backs the sauna have an a wonderful
backs the sauna have an a wonderful three-dimensional view of decorating the
three-dimensional view of decorating the
three-dimensional view of decorating the body and we think some of the most
body and we think some of the most
body and we think some of the most transforming and dramatic theatrical
transforming and dramatic theatrical
transforming and dramatic theatrical designs are coming when these fine eye
designs are coming when these fine eye
designs are coming when these fine eye masks are combined with these
masks are combined with these
masks are combined with these extraordinary clay earlobe stretches one
extraordinary clay earlobe stretches one
extraordinary clay earlobe stretches one of the things that we notice was that
of the things that we notice was that
of the things that we notice was that every day some girls would paint
every day some girls would paint
every day some girls would paint themselves with identical body designs
themselves with identical body designs
themselves with identical body designs and we were told afterwards that these
and we were told afterwards that these
and we were told afterwards that these are best friends and what they’re doing
are best friends and what they’re doing
are best friends and what they’re doing is revealing their close bond to one
is revealing their close bond to one
is revealing their close bond to one another silver men paint their bodies
another silver men paint their bodies
another silver men paint their bodies from head to toe to attract the opposite
from head to toe to attract the opposite
from head to toe to attract the opposite sex they create a mixture of chalk and
sex they create a mixture of chalk and
sex they create a mixture of chalk and water and slather it over the skin using
water and slather it over the skin using
water and slather it over the skin using their fingertips to draw designs which
their fingertips to draw designs which
their fingertips to draw designs which expose the dark color underneath the
expose the dark color underneath the
expose the dark color underneath the Surma a renowned throughout the Omo
Surma a renowned throughout the Omo
Surma a renowned throughout the Omo Valley for their mastery of the art of
Valley for their mastery of the art of
Valley for their mastery of the art of body painting and we soon realized that
body painting and we soon realized that
body painting and we soon realized that they leave no part of the body
they leave no part of the body
they leave no part of the body unattended initially we were shy in
unattended initially we were shy in
unattended initially we were shy in photographing their naked bodies but the
photographing their naked bodies but the
photographing their naked bodies but the soorma insisted that we record every
soorma insisted that we record every
soorma insisted that we record every part of the body that was painted and we
part of the body that was painted and we
part of the body that was painted and we realized that they were completely
realized that they were completely
realized that they were completely oblivious to the Western concept the
oblivious to the Western concept the
oblivious to the Western concept the Western attitude towards nudity
Western attitude towards nudity
Western attitude towards nudity we had arrived with ancho and I were
we had arrived with ancho and I were
we had arrived with ancho and I were fascinated to learn more about the
fascinated to learn more about the
fascinated to learn more about the history of body painting and we
history of body painting and we
history of body painting and we discovered that in Chad to the west of
discovered that in Chad to the west of
discovered that in Chad to the west of the soorma they were rocking graving x’
the soorma they were rocking graving x’
the soorma they were rocking graving x’ that dated back 4,000 to 7,000 years
that dated back 4,000 to 7,000 years
that dated back 4,000 to 7,000 years this engraving which is about nine feet
this engraving which is about nine feet
this engraving which is about nine feet in height is called Neola doaa
in height is called Neola doaa
in height is called Neola doaa which means the beautiful ladies and
which means the beautiful ladies and
which means the beautiful ladies and these ladies are covered from head to
these ladies are covered from head to
these ladies are covered from head to foot with designs very similar to what
foot with designs very similar to what
foot with designs very similar to what we were photographing in Summerland
we were photographing in Summerland
we were photographing in Summerland today every morning as we watch chalk
today every morning as we watch chalk
today every morning as we watch chalk and ochre being applied to the body we
and ochre being applied to the body we
and ochre being applied to the body we started to realize that we were looking
started to realize that we were looking
started to realize that we were looking at images of deep time we became so
at images of deep time we became so
at images of deep time we became so fascinated with the psalmist creativity
fascinated with the psalmist creativity
fascinated with the psalmist creativity that we started photographing sections
that we started photographing sections
that we started photographing sections of the body as beautiful abstractions in
of the body as beautiful abstractions in
of the body as beautiful abstractions in themselves a few years ago we decided to
themselves a few years ago we decided to
themselves a few years ago we decided to have an experiment with our photography
have an experiment with our photography
have an experiment with our photography and we digitally removes the backgrounds
and we digitally removes the backgrounds
and we digitally removes the backgrounds from some of the images in order to
from some of the images in order to
from some of the images in order to focus the viewers eyes on the
focus the viewers eyes on the
focus the viewers eyes on the extraordinary art of body painting we
extraordinary art of body painting we
extraordinary art of body painting we also wanted to focus the viewers eyes on
also wanted to focus the viewers eyes on
also wanted to focus the viewers eyes on the balletic process of body painting as
the balletic process of body painting as
the balletic process of body painting as well as on the finished artwork as well
well as on the finished artwork as well
well as on the finished artwork as well Carol and I became so involved with the
Carol and I became so involved with the
Carol and I became so involved with the art of body painting in southwest
art of body painting in southwest
art of body painting in southwest Ethiopia that we decided to revisit a
Ethiopia that we decided to revisit a
Ethiopia that we decided to revisit a group of people called the Cairo that we
group of people called the Cairo that we
group of people called the Cairo that we first visited in 1985 we took a dugout
first visited in 1985 we took a dugout
first visited in 1985 we took a dugout canoe and went down the Omo River and we
canoe and went down the Omo River and we
canoe and went down the Omo River and we go through a region where pastoral
go through a region where pastoral
go through a region where pastoral people are still reading one another’s
people are still reading one another’s
people are still reading one another’s cattle and killing anybody who gets in
cattle and killing anybody who gets in
cattle and killing anybody who gets in the way in this area people paint their
the way in this area people paint their
the way in this area people paint their bodies to identify themselves from their
bodies to identify themselves from their
bodies to identify themselves from their enemies there are only 2,000 Cairo
enemies there are only 2,000 Cairo
enemies there are only 2,000 Cairo people left and they live in these
people left and they live in these
people left and they live in these wonderful dome shaped thatched huts in
wonderful dome shaped thatched huts in
wonderful dome shaped thatched huts in three villages on either side of the
three villages on either side of the
three villages on either side of the river when we entered the first village
river when we entered the first village
river when we entered the first village we saw two men painting themselves with
we saw two men painting themselves with
we saw two men painting themselves with a dapple design of again
a dapple design of again
a dapple design of again foul feathers and we’d learnt on our
foul feathers and we’d learnt on our
foul feathers and we’d learnt on our first trip that the guinea fowl was the
first trip that the guinea fowl was the
first trip that the guinea fowl was the favorite bird of the Cairo people Cairo
favorite bird of the Cairo people Cairo
favorite bird of the Cairo people Cairo men believe that the more bird-like you
men believe that the more bird-like you
men believe that the more bird-like you become and the more exotic your
become and the more exotic your
become and the more exotic your appearance the more you’re going to gain
appearance the more you’re going to gain
appearance the more you’re going to gain female admiration and a wife for the
female admiration and a wife for the
female admiration and a wife for the future
future
future we were busily involved in recording
we were busily involved in recording
we were busily involved in recording face painting and chest designs of the
face painting and chest designs of the
face painting and chest designs of the Kerry people when suddenly Zeno one of
Kerry people when suddenly Zeno one of
Kerry people when suddenly Zeno one of our old friends from 1985 pulled away
our old friends from 1985 pulled away
our old friends from 1985 pulled away and left the group he rushed off to his
and left the group he rushed off to his
and left the group he rushed off to his Hut and when he reappeared he was
Hut and when he reappeared he was
Hut and when he reappeared he was carrying a photograph of himself that
carrying a photograph of himself that
carrying a photograph of himself that we’d taken in 1985 we looked at
we’d taken in 1985 we looked at
we’d taken in 1985 we looked at ourselves and we thought how earth did
ourselves and we thought how earth did
ourselves and we thought how earth did Zeno get this photograph and then he
Zeno get this photograph and then he
Zeno get this photograph and then he explained to us that he’d received it
explained to us that he’d received it
explained to us that he’d received it from a German traveler who’d photocopied
from a German traveler who’d photocopied
from a German traveler who’d photocopied our book African Ark in Germany and made
our book African Ark in Germany and made
our book African Ark in Germany and made a trip to Ethiopia solely for the
a trip to Ethiopia solely for the
a trip to Ethiopia solely for the purpose to meet the man behind this
purpose to meet the man behind this
purpose to meet the man behind this wonderful facemask the ochre which the
wonderful facemask the ochre which the
wonderful facemask the ochre which the Cairo used to paint their bodies comes
Cairo used to paint their bodies comes
Cairo used to paint their bodies comes from the banks of the Omo River as well
from the banks of the Omo River as well
from the banks of the Omo River as well as from the hinterlands it comes from
as from the hinterlands it comes from
as from the hinterlands it comes from Earth with a high iron ore content and
Earth with a high iron ore content and
Earth with a high iron ore content and produces a beautiful rich reddish orange
produces a beautiful rich reddish orange
produces a beautiful rich reddish orange color every morning we used to follow
color every morning we used to follow
color every morning we used to follow our Cairo girlfriends down to the river
our Cairo girlfriends down to the river
our Cairo girlfriends down to the river where they would wash their bodies in
where they would wash their bodies in
where they would wash their bodies in preparation for body painting unlike the
preparation for body painting unlike the
preparation for body painting unlike the soorma who paint their bodies in black
soorma who paint their bodies in black
soorma who paint their bodies in black and white the Karo have a rich palette
and white the Karo have a rich palette
and white the Karo have a rich palette of colors which come entirely from their
of colors which come entirely from their
of colors which come entirely from their natural environment they use chalk they
natural environment they use chalk they
natural environment they use chalk they use charcoal they use red and yellow
use charcoal they use red and yellow
use charcoal they use red and yellow ochres and they sometimes create colors
ochres and they sometimes create colors
ochres and they sometimes create colors using dyes which they find in berries
using dyes which they find in berries
using dyes which they find in berries barks and roots when a karl man is brave
barks and roots when a karl man is brave
barks and roots when a karl man is brave when he’s killed a human enemy or a
when he’s killed a human enemy or a
when he’s killed a human enemy or a dangerous animal
dangerous animal
dangerous animal he has the honor of wearing an ochre and
he has the honor of wearing an ochre and
he has the honor of wearing an ochre and gray clay hair bun which is literally
gray clay hair bun which is literally
gray clay hair bun which is literally painted onto his hair into this hair bun
painted onto his hair into this hair bun
painted onto his hair into this hair bun he’ll insert a long white egret feather
he’ll insert a long white egret feather
he’ll insert a long white egret feather in order to add an additional touch to
in order to add an additional touch to
in order to add an additional touch to his bird-like beauty these wonderful
his bird-like beauty these wonderful
his bird-like beauty these wonderful chalk designs actually only last a day
chalk designs actually only last a day
chalk designs actually only last a day and rub off overnight
and rub off overnight
and rub off overnight and every morning when we woke up there
and every morning when we woke up there
and every morning when we woke up there be lines of Karo men who just freshly
be lines of Karo men who just freshly
be lines of Karo men who just freshly painted their bodies and wanting to be
painted their bodies and wanting to be
painted their bodies and wanting to be photographed by us in fact we realized
photographed by us in fact we realized
photographed by us in fact we realized that the photographs we took in 1985 and
that the photographs we took in 1985 and
that the photographs we took in 1985 and on this trip were the first images that
on this trip were the first images that
on this trip were the first images that the Cairo people had ever seen of
the Cairo people had ever seen of
the Cairo people had ever seen of themselves what’s wonderful about the
themselves what’s wonderful about the
themselves what’s wonderful about the Cairo is they’re so spirited and once
Cairo is they’re so spirited and once
Cairo is they’re so spirited and once their bodies are painted their spirits
their bodies are painted their spirits
their bodies are painted their spirits are released and they immediately want
are released and they immediately want
are released and they immediately want to start courtship dancing courtship
to start courtship dancing courtship
to start courtship dancing courtship dancing begins with a young girl
dancing begins with a young girl
dancing begins with a young girl actually approaching the man she desires
actually approaching the man she desires
actually approaching the man she desires then the couple engage in a sort of
then the couple engage in a sort of
then the couple engage in a sort of rhythmic and pulsating dance where their
rhythmic and pulsating dance where their
rhythmic and pulsating dance where their hips gyrate wonderfully to and fro
hips gyrate wonderfully to and fro
hips gyrate wonderfully to and fro against each other whilst we’re living
against each other whilst we’re living
against each other whilst we’re living with a cairo we reflected on how amazing
with a cairo we reflected on how amazing
with a cairo we reflected on how amazing it is that in almost all of nature it’s
it is that in almost all of nature it’s
it is that in almost all of nature it’s the male who has to make himself look
the male who has to make himself look
the male who has to make himself look beautiful decorate his body to be chosen
beautiful decorate his body to be chosen
beautiful decorate his body to be chosen by a female and this is the case in most
by a female and this is the case in most
by a female and this is the case in most of African traditional societies and
of African traditional societies and
of African traditional societies and it’s so different to our world where we
it’s so different to our world where we
it’s so different to our world where we as females do all the work
as females do all the work
as females do all the work to attract the male I antiphon I have
to attract the male I antiphon I have
to attract the male I antiphon I have been visiting the Omo Valley for the
been visiting the Omo Valley for the
been visiting the Omo Valley for the past thirty years and this past June we
past thirty years and this past June we
past thirty years and this past June we were deeply saddened to realize that so
were deeply saddened to realize that so
were deeply saddened to realize that so many of the traditional cultures that
many of the traditional cultures that
many of the traditional cultures that we’d worked with including the soorma
we’d worked with including the soorma
we’d worked with including the soorma the Cairo and the Dawson Age were
the Cairo and the Dawson Age were
the Cairo and the Dawson Age were changing overnight the Ethiopian
changing overnight the Ethiopian
changing overnight the Ethiopian government is building the second
government is building the second
government is building the second largest hydroelectric dam in Africa on
largest hydroelectric dam in Africa on
largest hydroelectric dam in Africa on the Omo River and
the Omo River and
the Omo River and the same time they’re leasing the lands
the same time they’re leasing the lands
the same time they’re leasing the lands that belong to these pastoral people’s
that belong to these pastoral people’s
that belong to these pastoral people’s to Saudi Malaysian and Indian investors
to Saudi Malaysian and Indian investors
to Saudi Malaysian and Indian investors to create vast sugarcane plantations the
to create vast sugarcane plantations the
to create vast sugarcane plantations the precious water
precious water
precious water the annual waters from the Omo River
the annual waters from the Omo River
the annual waters from the Omo River which are essential both for the
which are essential both for the
which are essential both for the pastures for the herders and the water
pastures for the herders and the water
pastures for the herders and the water for their crops are going to be
for their crops are going to be
for their crops are going to be drastically diminished not only by the
drastically diminished not only by the
drastically diminished not only by the hydroelectric dam but also by vast
hydroelectric dam but also by vast
hydroelectric dam but also by vast irrigation systems that are being set up
irrigation systems that are being set up
irrigation systems that are being set up to accommodate these large sugar
to accommodate these large sugar
to accommodate these large sugar plantations on our visit in June this
plantations on our visit in June this
plantations on our visit in June this year we realize that about a hundred
year we realize that about a hundred
year we realize that about a hundred thousand pastoral people will lose their
thousand pastoral people will lose their
thousand pastoral people will lose their ancestral homes and be forced to
ancestral homes and be forced to
ancestral homes and be forced to resettle this Omo River region is not
resettle this Omo River region is not
resettle this Omo River region is not only a world heritage site the
only a world heritage site the
only a world heritage site the birthplace of modern man but also the
birthplace of modern man but also the
birthplace of modern man but also the last remaining pocket of ancient
last remaining pocket of ancient
last remaining pocket of ancient cultures on the African continent
cultures on the African continent
cultures on the African continent and it’s facing cultural extinction as
and it’s facing cultural extinction as
and it’s facing cultural extinction as we speak
we speak
we speak this year we see the last of the annual
this year we see the last of the annual
this year we see the last of the annual flood waters as the dam will be
flood waters as the dam will be
flood waters as the dam will be completed next year and the irrigation
completed next year and the irrigation
completed next year and the irrigation systems are already underway we’d like
systems are already underway we’d like
systems are already underway we’d like to take you next to Namibia to visit the
to take you next to Namibia to visit the
to take you next to Namibia to visit the Himba people the Himba people live in
Himba people the Himba people live in
Himba people the Himba people live in the Namib Desert
the Namib Desert
the Namib Desert which is the oldest desert in the world
which is the oldest desert in the world
which is the oldest desert in the world when we first came across them they
when we first came across them they
when we first came across them they appeared almost as apparitions in the
appeared almost as apparitions in the
appeared almost as apparitions in the desert glistening from head to toe with
desert glistening from head to toe with
desert glistening from head to toe with red ochre makeup surrounded by the white
red ochre makeup surrounded by the white
red ochre makeup surrounded by the white sands of the desert they covered their
sands of the desert they covered their
sands of the desert they covered their bodies with red ochre not only to
bodies with red ochre not only to
bodies with red ochre not only to beautify themselves but to protect their
beautify themselves but to protect their
beautify themselves but to protect their skin from the cold desert nights and the
skin from the cold desert nights and the
skin from the cold desert nights and the heat of the Desert Sun into this makeup
heat of the Desert Sun into this makeup
heat of the Desert Sun into this makeup they liked to powder herbs and fragrant
they liked to powder herbs and fragrant
they liked to powder herbs and fragrant barks in order to give their makeup a
barks in order to give their makeup a
barks in order to give their makeup a sort of perfumed effect and when we
sort of perfumed effect and when we
sort of perfumed effect and when we arrived they saw immediately that we
arrived they saw immediately that we
arrived they saw immediately that we were carrying a couple of oranges and
were carrying a couple of oranges and
were carrying a couple of oranges and immediately
immediately
immediately they could have the orange peels which
they could have the orange peels which
they could have the orange peels which they dried in pulverized to add more
they dried in pulverized to add more
they dried in pulverized to add more fragrance to their body makeup him but
fragrance to their body makeup him but
fragrance to their body makeup him but mother’s carry their babies in awkward
mother’s carry their babies in awkward
mother’s carry their babies in awkward baby carriers because they believe that
baby carriers because they believe that
baby carriers because they believe that if you leave a baby on the ground it
if you leave a baby on the ground it
if you leave a baby on the ground it will be scooped up and taken away by
will be scooped up and taken away by
will be scooped up and taken away by evil spirits and the mothers are so
evil spirits and the mothers are so
evil spirits and the mothers are so incredibly loving and attentive and
incredibly loving and attentive and
incredibly loving and attentive and affectionate with their children telling
affectionate with their children telling
affectionate with their children telling us continuously that these babies were
us continuously that these babies were
us continuously that these babies were blessing from God
blessing from God
blessing from God young Himba girls carry these wonderful
young Himba girls carry these wonderful
young Himba girls carry these wonderful carved wooden fertility dolls called
carved wooden fertility dolls called
carved wooden fertility dolls called poppy and the poppy they believe
poppy and the poppy they believe
poppy and the poppy they believe actually help assure their fertility in
actually help assure their fertility in
actually help assure their fertility in later life and their success as future
later life and their success as future
later life and their success as future mothers when a girl reaches adolescence
mothers when a girl reaches adolescence
mothers when a girl reaches adolescence her face is concealed an extraordinary
her face is concealed an extraordinary
her face is concealed an extraordinary ochre veil made of twisted sisal cords
ochre veil made of twisted sisal cords
ochre veil made of twisted sisal cords they’re actually telling the community
they’re actually telling the community
they’re actually telling the community that they’re no longer a child but
that they’re no longer a child but
that they’re no longer a child but they’re not yet a woman
they’re not yet a woman
they’re not yet a woman when a girl is ready to enter womanhood
when a girl is ready to enter womanhood
when a girl is ready to enter womanhood her mother parts the veil to show that
her mother parts the veil to show that
her mother parts the veil to show that she’s ready for her new stage in life
she’s ready for her new stage in life
she’s ready for her new stage in life and an interesting stage in life is
and an interesting stage in life is
and an interesting stage in life is about to occur this is the time that she
about to occur this is the time that she
about to occur this is the time that she learns all the courtship rituals from
learns all the courtship rituals from
learns all the courtship rituals from her mother
her mother
her mother and she’s part of a very strong female
and she’s part of a very strong female
and she’s part of a very strong female community and she must practice all her
community and she must practice all her
community and she must practice all her courtship procedures in front of them
courtship procedures in front of them
courtship procedures in front of them she’s here showing performing the anjaan
she’s here showing performing the anjaan
she’s here showing performing the anjaan joy dance which is a dance where she
joy dance which is a dance where she
joy dance which is a dance where she really shows off her live beautiful body
really shows off her live beautiful body
really shows off her live beautiful body and her long akkad hair and her newly
and her long akkad hair and her newly
and her long akkad hair and her newly acquired goat skin skirts and her
acquired goat skin skirts and her
acquired goat skin skirts and her mother’s teaching her that when she sees
mother’s teaching her that when she sees
mother’s teaching her that when she sees the man that she admires she has to
the man that she admires she has to
the man that she admires she has to flick her long hair over his shoulder to
flick her long hair over his shoulder to
flick her long hair over his shoulder to tell him that she’s the woman he needs
tell him that she’s the woman he needs
tell him that she’s the woman he needs when a young girl is ready for marriage
when a young girl is ready for marriage
when a young girl is ready for marriage she’s taken into her mother’s hut during
she’s taken into her mother’s hut during
she’s taken into her mother’s hut during the night and in the darkness of the hut
the night and in the darkness of the hut
the night and in the darkness of the hut lit only by a Horus she’s given the
lit only by a Horus she’s given the
lit only by a Horus she’s given the valuable and Jonjo wedding headdress
valuable and Jonjo wedding headdress
valuable and Jonjo wedding headdress this headdress as you can see has an a
this headdress as you can see has an a
this headdress as you can see has an a sort of coil in front
sort of coil in front
sort of coil in front when she leaves her mother the next day
when she leaves her mother the next day
when she leaves her mother the next day she’s meant to roll this coil forward
she’s meant to roll this coil forward
she’s meant to roll this coil forward which puts her into a kind of tunnel
which puts her into a kind of tunnel
which puts her into a kind of tunnel giving her only a vision of straight
giving her only a vision of straight
giving her only a vision of straight ahead this is believed to protect her
ahead this is believed to protect her
ahead this is believed to protect her from the poignant emotions of leaving
from the poignant emotions of leaving
from the poignant emotions of leaving her family behind in 1980 angela and i
her family behind in 1980 angela and i
her family behind in 1980 angela and i made the first of many trips to try to
made the first of many trips to try to
made the first of many trips to try to find the were dobby nomads of the Sahel
find the were dobby nomads of the Sahel
find the were dobby nomads of the Sahel we traveled 700 miles north to a lock on
we traveled 700 miles north to a lock on
we traveled 700 miles north to a lock on market day in order to meet the word ave
market day in order to meet the word ave
market day in order to meet the word ave and there we met chief macau and his
and there we met chief macau and his
and there we met chief macau and his family and he said that if we would buy
family and he said that if we would buy
family and he said that if we would buy a mule and put all of our few belongings
a mule and put all of our few belongings
a mule and put all of our few belongings on top of it we could follow him out
on top of it we could follow him out
on top of it we could follow him out into the Sahel in search of the gara
into the Sahel in search of the gara
into the Sahel in search of the gara wall the gara wall is one of the great
wall the gara wall is one of the great
wall the gara wall is one of the great courtship rituals of the year and we did
courtship rituals of the year and we did
courtship rituals of the year and we did just as we were told we walked ten
just as we were told we walked ten
just as we were told we walked ten kilometers a day in 120 degree heat and
kilometers a day in 120 degree heat and
kilometers a day in 120 degree heat and we lived off a calabash of milk morning
we lived off a calabash of milk morning
we lived off a calabash of milk morning and evening and whenever Angela and I
and evening and whenever Angela and I
and evening and whenever Angela and I grew the least bit impatient but I would
grew the least bit impatient but I would
grew the least bit impatient but I would look us in the eye and say she who can’t
look us in the eye and say she who can’t
look us in the eye and say she who can’t bear the smoke will never get to the
bear the smoke will never get to the
bear the smoke will never get to the fire finally after six weeks of walking
fire finally after six weeks of walking
fire finally after six weeks of walking with Macao and his family we came across
with Macao and his family we came across
with Macao and his family we came across up to a thousand word Ave nomads who
up to a thousand word Ave nomads who
up to a thousand word Ave nomads who were preparing for a seven-day festival
were preparing for a seven-day festival
were preparing for a seven-day festival called the Gera wall during which time
called the Gera wall during which time
called the Gera wall during which time the men would compete for charm and
the men would compete for charm and
the men would compete for charm and beauty and the women would select their
beauty and the women would select their
beauty and the women would select their boyfriends husbands and lovers were
boyfriends husbands and lovers were
boyfriends husbands and lovers were dobby men have a unique way of winning
dobby men have a unique way of winning
dobby men have a unique way of winning wives and they spend hours decorating
wives and they spend hours decorating
wives and they spend hours decorating themselves and beautifying themselves
themselves and beautifying themselves
themselves and beautifying themselves before the all-male beauty and charm
before the all-male beauty and charm
before the all-male beauty and charm contest they have a specific criteria
contest they have a specific criteria
contest they have a specific criteria for beauty and every man puts a very
for beauty and every man puts a very
for beauty and every man puts a very pale yellow makeup on his skin and then
pale yellow makeup on his skin and then
pale yellow makeup on his skin and then he draws a long line down his nose to
he draws a long line down his nose to
he draws a long line down his nose to reveal his aquiline features and then he
reveal his aquiline features and then he
reveal his aquiline features and then he outlines his eyes and mouth with black
outlines his eyes and mouth with black
outlines his eyes and mouth with black coal to reveal the whiteness of teeth
coal to reveal the whiteness of teeth
coal to reveal the whiteness of teeth and eyes were dobby men say it through
and eyes were dobby men say it through
and eyes were dobby men say it through the power of the eyes that marriages are
the power of the eyes that marriages are
the power of the eyes that marriages are made when the men are made up they
made when the men are made up they
made when the men are made up they gather together forming long lines
gather together forming long lines
gather together forming long lines rising up and down on tiptoe to show off
rising up and down on tiptoe to show off
rising up and down on tiptoe to show off their beautiful life bodies they roll
their beautiful life bodies they roll
their beautiful life bodies they roll their eyes show off their teeth so that
their eyes show off their teeth so that
their eyes show off their teeth so that their judges can appreciate the strength
their judges can appreciate the strength
their judges can appreciate the strength of the whites of their eyes and teeth
of the whites of their eyes and teeth
of the whites of their eyes and teeth and they make clicking and hissing and
and they make clicking and hissing and
and they make clicking and hissing and kissing and clucking sounds to attract
kissing and clucking sounds to attract
kissing and clucking sounds to attract their female judges midway through the
their female judges midway through the
their female judges midway through the dance an elder woman wearing a yellow
dance an elder woman wearing a yellow
dance an elder woman wearing a yellow veil dashes up and down the line of
veil dashes up and down the line of
veil dashes up and down the line of dancers mocking the men mercilessly to
dancers mocking the men mercilessly to
dancers mocking the men mercilessly to inspire them on to greater performances
inspire them on to greater performances
inspire them on to greater performances if she likes a man she backs up 50 feet
if she likes a man she backs up 50 feet
if she likes a man she backs up 50 feet lowers her head and charges that man
lowers her head and charges that man
lowers her head and charges that man butting him in the torso
butting him in the torso
butting him in the torso yelling yee-hoo but if she doesn’t like
yelling yee-hoo but if she doesn’t like
yelling yee-hoo but if she doesn’t like a man she takes a bird bee which she has
a man she takes a bird bee which she has
a man she takes a bird bee which she has hidden in her left hand and points it at
hidden in her left hand and points it at
hidden in her left hand and points it at that dancer automatically disqualifying
that dancer automatically disqualifying
that dancer automatically disqualifying him for being not beautiful enough
him for being not beautiful enough
him for being not beautiful enough however this woman is heavily paid off
however this woman is heavily paid off
however this woman is heavily paid off in cattle before the dance begins and
in cattle before the dance begins and
in cattle before the dance begins and has never disqualified anyone at the
has never disqualified anyone at the
has never disqualified anyone at the finale three young girls are chosen to
finale three young girls are chosen to
finale three young girls are chosen to be the judges and they spend hours
be the judges and they spend hours
be the judges and they spend hours scrutinizing the performers before
scrutinizing the performers before
scrutinizing the performers before making their choice with Derby females a
making their choice with Derby females a
making their choice with Derby females a very demure and usually hidden under
very demure and usually hidden under
very demure and usually hidden under umbrellas or veils and were derby men
umbrellas or veils and were derby men
umbrellas or veils and were derby men say a word Dobby woman must never look
say a word Dobby woman must never look
say a word Dobby woman must never look directly at the object of her desire and
directly at the object of her desire and
directly at the object of her desire and finally the winners are chosen if a man
finally the winners are chosen if a man
finally the winners are chosen if a man can hold one eye still and roll the
can hold one eye still and roll the
can hold one eye still and roll the other in and out he is considered
other in and out he is considered
other in and out he is considered irresistible to his female judges
irresistible to his female judges
irresistible to his female judges the man in the center was the winner of
the man in the center was the winner of
the man in the center was the winner of this year’s yaki male charm competition
this year’s yaki male charm competition
this year’s yaki male charm competition and by the end of the dance season he
and by the end of the dance season he
and by the end of the dance season he had acquired four wives after 35 years
had acquired four wives after 35 years
had acquired four wives after 35 years of work in Africa Angela and I realized
of work in Africa Angela and I realized
of work in Africa Angela and I realized how much the African continent has given
how much the African continent has given
how much the African continent has given to us one of the most important things
to us one of the most important things
to us one of the most important things we’ve learned is the value of
we’ve learned is the value of
we’ve learned is the value of reciprocity what you take you must give
reciprocity what you take you must give
reciprocity what you take you must give back at the end of each visit we would
back at the end of each visit we would
back at the end of each visit we would try to give something meaningful back to
try to give something meaningful back to
try to give something meaningful back to the community such as a well or a small
the community such as a well or a small
the community such as a well or a small clinic or a school as a way of saying
clinic or a school as a way of saying
clinic or a school as a way of saying thank you for their generosity in
thank you for their generosity in
thank you for their generosity in sharing their rich cultural traditions
sharing their rich cultural traditions
sharing their rich cultural traditions with us we believe that an even more
with us we believe that an even more
with us we believe that an even more important and permanent thank you is the
important and permanent thank you is the
important and permanent thank you is the archive which we’ve created this archive
archive which we’ve created this archive
archive which we’ve created this archive covers over a hundred and fifty
covers over a hundred and fifty
covers over a hundred and fifty different cultures and consists of a
different cultures and consists of a
different cultures and consists of a half a million images hundreds of hours
half a million images hundreds of hours
half a million images hundreds of hours of video films Illustrated journals and
of video films Illustrated journals and
of video films Illustrated journals and many themed exhibitions our vision is to
many themed exhibitions our vision is to
many themed exhibitions our vision is to find a home for our archive in a museum
find a home for our archive in a museum
find a home for our archive in a museum or in a university where future
or in a university where future
or in a university where future generations of Africans as well as
generations of Africans as well as
generations of Africans as well as students worldwide can access this rich
students worldwide can access this rich
students worldwide can access this rich cultural heritage one of the most
cultural heritage one of the most
cultural heritage one of the most important things we’ve learned in Africa
important things we’ve learned in Africa
important things we’ve learned in Africa is that although we look very different
is that although we look very different
is that although we look very different to one another
to one another
to one another some of us addressed some of us are
some of us addressed some of us are
some of us addressed some of us are naked some of us are painted some of us
naked some of us are painted some of us
naked some of us are painted some of us are scarify some of us are liberated
are scarify some of us are liberated
are scarify some of us are liberated some veiled we’re actually all the same
some veiled we’re actually all the same
some veiled we’re actually all the same human beings with similar human emotions
human beings with similar human emotions
human beings with similar human emotions and human needs understanding each
and human needs understanding each
and human needs understanding each other’s cultures celebrating our
other’s cultures celebrating our
other’s cultures celebrating our similarities and absorbing our
similarities and absorbing our
similarities and absorbing our differences and embracing the old world
differences and embracing the old world
differences and embracing the old world as we enter the new we feel in not only
as we enter the new we feel in not only
as we enter the new we feel in not only essential to the enrichment of human
essential to the enrichment of human
essential to the enrichment of human life but also her
life but also her
life but also her to the pursuit of world peace
”
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