TITLE: Guardians of tradition: fulani women between generations

Normally, when the rainy season ended and the southern fringes of the Sahara desert began to dry, Fulani families gathered to drive their cattle, goats, and sheep toward cooler subtropical savannas. But warming temperatures have altered the families' lives. Rainfall levels are dropping, instead of whole families joining the seasonal migration, it is mostly the men who depart, leaving women and children behind in villages. The role of the women has become even more crucial. As the guardians of tradition, they are responsible for safeguarding knowledge, practices, and values that have been passed down through generations. The series shows three generations of Senu Fulani women living under one roof, and commemorates the continuity of Fulani womanhood from one generation to another.

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.