In 2018, French photographer Stéphane de Rouville spent three months with the most traditional of the semi-nomadic tribes of northern Kenya, Gabra, and photographed what he saw and what he wanted viewers saw. This series of photo has been also honoured the "Top 10 Photographers of the World" - 2018 "Sente·Antu Cup" International Photo Contest by Global Photography.
Particularly, sailing through the arid plains of north-western Kenya in search of water and pasture for their livestock, the Gabra, one of the smallest (30,000) semi-nomadic tribe inhabiting these vast lands, are also, by a very strong attachment to their ancestral traditions, as well as to very strict tribal laws, those who have best resisted the torments of modernization, proselyting of all kinds, droughts more and more frequent, and recurrent attacks from neighbouring tribes.
For nearly a millennium, the Gabra, who pray to Waqaa, their God, imploring him to bring rain and peace to the community, watch over a fabulous treasure, hundreds of thousands of dromedaries (as well as, to a lesser extent, cows, goats and sheep), heart of their economy and their main reason for living.
(All photos coopyrighted Stéphane de Rouville)
>> Gallery: Ga Bra, Into the Heart of Tradition I, & II
>> Photographer: Stéphane de Rouville
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