I would describe photography as a form of speech: I talk through my images, as a form of sight; I see through my images, as a form of sound; I hear through my images.
There is so much beauty in everyday moments and everyday people. With over 80 different peoples in Ethiopia, and the magnificence and richness of each tradition, I beg to differ when this nation is labelled ‘poor’. While Western media parade Ethiopia’s poverty and bombard us with the greatness of Western living, I choose to portray the other side.
This is a photograph I took on a trip to the southern part of Ethiopia, in the Alaba Tembaro region. A trip out of the city is not just a trip for me, but an opportunity to capture moments that may come just once in a lifetime. I like to wake up at the break of dawn, head out into the village and take shots as the sun rises. On this particular day I was making my way through the market. Each face had a story of its own; each expression on every face told a million tales. I came across young women decorated with items I had never imagined being put to this particular use. I was mesmerized as I preserved for a lifetime a moment of beauty.
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Voices from the margins:
Multimedia: video, podcasts, and more.
- Poetry Slam in Zimbabwe
- The House of Hunger poetry slam held in Zimbabwe in 2006, and organised by the Pamberi Trust, showcased young artists performing inspirational work on issues from corporate power to child soldiers. The video features four of the poets.
Published by Pambazuka News.
- Iranian women speak out
- 3 March 2007, London. Women's rights activists marched through the English capital last week to celebrate International Women's Day with a protest against the misogyny of the Islamic regime in Iran and the threat of invasion by the US. Hear the voices of Iranian feminists Azar and Leila Parnian and the sounds of the demonstration as it passed through the heart of the city. Click here to learn more about the campaign.
Produced by Heidi Bachram.
- Raised Voices audio:
- Benny from West Papua on Corporate Power
- Vinayan from India on agriculture
