Winners Gallery - FotoSlovo 2025
Single - FotoSlovo 2025 - Category « Documentary / Reportage »
Honorable Mention
The composition of the photo evokes the idea of cultural "burden": the ornament on the back becomes a physical reminder of the lineage, memory, and values that the Samburu community inherits from generation to generation. This burden is not only an honor but also a responsibility to keep the legacy, language, rituals, and traditional way of life alive. The main subject, captured from behind, conveys the idea that even though we may not always see the history that precedes us, we carry it with us, and it defines us. Moreover, the slightly inclined position of the neck and the tension reflected in his posture convey both respect and a deep sense of responsibility.
From an artistic point of view, the photograph connects the physical strength of the male body with the symbolic weight of tradition. The lighting highlights the skin and the vivid colors of the beadwork, creating a contrast that emphasizes the richness of the Samburu culture. The absence of the subject’s gaze (as his face is not shown) universalizes the message: anyone belonging to an ancestral culture feels, to a greater or lesser extent, the weight of history on their shoulders.