TITLE: quiet pride - the forgotten country

Dignity does not shout. Covered in charcoal and earth he stands for a symbol of beauty and strength. Even when the outside world forgets, the charcoal on his body shields him and forms his identity remembering who he is - a Krongo Nuba warrior. His presence speaks of pride.
The Nuba people are dancers, warriors, masters of resilience. They inhabit the Nuba mountains in the South Kordofan region of war-torn Sudan. A place that was completely cut off from the outside world, for decades. Amidst genocides, oppression and abysmal humanitarian conditions, they retained their distinct culture. They are one of the world's most captivating tribes with a deep connection to their homeland. After more than 60 years of total isolation, the silence around the Nuba begins to break. Those are one of the first photographs that have been taken after Leni Riefenstahl's photography and narratives in 1960s til 1970s. Her photographs published in 1973 sparked worldwide controversy at the time.

AUTHOR: Philipp Schmieja (Germany)

Self-taught photographer and passionate traveler. I discovered my passion for photography during traveling African countries. I had developed a fascination for tribes. This has been underpinned by my passion for photography. Tribal people are those who have unique customs. They often have a symbiotic bond with the environments in which they live. I am using photography as a medium to capture candid moments as well as community spirit and portraits. And in that moment, through my lens, I am seeking to portray the soul of the places by blending intimate people photography with striking imagery of cultural heritage.