TITLE: Pride in Heritage

These three young girls are members of the Mursi tribe, one of several indigenous groups residing in the Omo Valley, nestled in the southwestern reaches of Ethiopia. The Mursi people maintain a semi-nomadic way of life, guiding their cattle herds to fresh grazing pastures according to seasonal rhythms. This mobility underscores their profound bond with the land and their dependency on its resources for sustenance. Their dignified demeanor and the resplendent garments adorning their figures immediately captivated my attention, signaling a deep-rooted reverence for their cultural heritage. Renowned for their distinctive customs, notably the striking tradition of lip plates, the Mursi tribe embodies a steadfast commitment to their traditional lifestyle and a profound attachment to their ancestral territories.

AUTHOR: Thibault Gerbaldi (United States)

Thibault Gerbaldi is a self-taught Leica photographer and passionate traveler, known for capturing authentic, emotional stories from some of the world’s most remote and diverse regions. His award-winning work spans cultures and landscapes as varied as Greenland to India, blending documentary, travel, and portrait photography. Thibault has self-published seven photography books and earned international recognition, including first place at the Siena Awards 2025, the International Photography Awards 2025, and the International Travel Photo Awards, and second place at PX3 (Prix de la Photographie de Paris), the MonoVision Awards, and the Fine Art Photography Awards.

In 2024, he received the Rising Talent Award from Travel Photographer of the Year, the world’s most prestigious travel photography competition. That same year, he was named one of AAP’s Emerging Talents to Watch.

In 2025, three of his photographs were selected for Around the World with Leica, a major exhibition held at the Leica headquarters in Wetzlar to celebrate the brand’s 100th anniversary. Chosen from over one million images submitted by more than 65,000 photographers worldwide, this recognition placed his work at the heart of Leica’s global centennial celebration.

His images have been published in Leica Fotografie International, All About Photo, Digital Camera, and various specialized media. Much like Thibault himself, his work travels the world—from Miami to Paris, Arles, Venice, Marrakech, Los Angeles, and Rome.

Beyond photography, Thibault is committed to supporting humanitarian causes through his work. A board member since 2019, Thibault Gerbaldi funds solidarity projects through donations linked to the dissemination of his books and photographic prints, outside of any commercial framework.