TITLE: Pride in Heritage

These two children belong to the Mursi tribe, one of the numerous tribes in the Omo Valley in the southwestern part of Ethiopia. Their proud stance and their scarification immediately drew my attention to their strong connection to their heritage.

The scarification is often seen as a rite of passage and a symbol of cultural identity. Specific scar patterns can indicate group affiliation, age, or social status within the tribe.

AUTHOR: Thibault Gerbaldi (United States)

Self-taught photographer and passionate traveler, Thibault Gerbaldi roams the world to capture visual stories infused with emotion and authenticity.

Over the past five years, he has self-published six photography books, including CROSSROADS on Ethiopia, THE SANDS OF TIME dedicated to Namibia, SAILING UNDER THE ARCTIC SKY about Greenland, FACES OF PERU about Peru, ACROSS SANDS AND SKY focusing on Mongolia, and THE ART OF EARTH, a tribute to Iceland.

His work has been recognized in prestigious international competitions, earning first place at the International Travel Photo Awards, second place at the PX3 (Prix de la Photographie de Paris) and the Monovision Awards, and third place at 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.

His images have been published in Leica Fotografie International, All About Photo, LENS Magazine, and various specialized media. Much like Thibault himself, his work travels the world—from Miami to Paris, Venice, Los Angeles, and Rome. In 2024, his growing recognition earned him a spot among AAP’s Emerging Talents to Watch.

Beyond photography, Thibault is committed to supporting humanitarian causes through his work. A board member of The Forgotten International since 2019, he donates a portion of his book and print sales to fund solidarity projects supporting marginalized communities.