One of the images seared into my memories is that of people walking -- individuals, families, small groups, herders. Sometimes the women carried almost impossibly large parcels (from bags to trays of fruit) on their heads. Men often carried spears or long walking sticks. They were walking on paths next to the main roads. Most of the time they were dressed as here, in colorful wraps representing traditions of their cultures for men, women, and children. Spaces are huge and the thought of how far they walk in their daily lives was quite sobering. There were a few bicycles, some very very crowded local buses, but for the most part, people simply walk on these paths and across the huge fields and often are solitary figures. Pictured are members of the Maasai tribe.
On my first working day in Zambia about 50 years ago I was walking to work when a big car pulled up alongside me and the white driver (no-one I knew) told me to get in because I was "letting the side down". I politely refused only partly because I was enjoying the walk! That set my tone for the remaining 4 years!
@yrhenwr Oh my! Quite 'in your face' about what your role was supposed to be! Even today, we saw only black Africans walking. I'd like to think, in the case of the Maasai whom we met with that it is a conscious decision based on the pride they have in their traditional lives and the way they have defined hierarchy and privilege within their society. We met Maasai rangers and guides, as well as those maintaining a traditional life. We also spent a morning with some Hadzabe on one of their morning hunts -- they continue to live off the land in a way that is truly challenging by any of our experiences, using traditional tools for hunting like spears and arrows. Other tribes are struggling with the balance between the need to send their kids to public school while continuing to value their longstanding traditions and lives. I learned a lot!
An amazing and magical experience Taffy . I love this colourful image of their simple way of life along with your wonderful narratives - - thank you for sharing your experience and gained knowledge with us - makes a simple image so much more !fav
What colorful clothing and a wonderful landscape view. I hear Chicago is getting some really cold weather and it must feel even colder coming back from hot weather. I guess the city is digging out from the snowstorm.
I shall never forget meeting the Masai tribes when we were in Kenya, and visiting their village and hut where we ate goat and drank bottled beer (and got very very ill!). It is great to meet cultures with a way of life that really makes you think about values and prejudices. On our trip to Namibia, we had the same experience as you - people walking along main roads. And evidence too, of privileges belonging to the white population. The way the women have such strength and balance to carry loads on their heads is a fascination. Lovely to see the Masai people here in their vibrant colours and elegance.
This scene illustrates your narrative beautifully. There's a great big world out there and I know, personally, I tend to forget and think everyone is running at a frenzied pace. This is a good reminder that not all the world is "connected" and techno based. The detail, depth from your choice of lens, all brilliant together! love!
What a fabulous photo is so many ways - the clarity and composition give us something lovely to behold and the content gives us something to contemplate. Thank you for your info - it adds so much to your photo. :)
Great shot. It's interesting to me how we view walking such as this- they're so much more healthy for it. When I was first married we lived two blocks from town and I didn't drive so I did a lot of walking. Now I wish I could do it!
The shot has a lot in it and I enjoyed searching around very much, those coloured robes are so colourful! Together with your story the whole becomes a particularly interesting document. Even more so when one reads the thread too. Lots to think about.
What a wonderful narrative to accompany this shot - it really helps one better understand the entirety of the image. @yrhenwr 's comments are really enlightening!
That was the thing that I found interesting in Africa. We visited some folks that our church was helping build a new church. The leaders told us they build churches every 6 miles along the road between two large villages. The reason was people were willing to walk 3 miles to go to church. Other than major cities, cars are not common. Africa is an amazing experience.
