First, thanks for having Lens upfront in today's Times website. In the past and maybe all too often, Lens, the place for images to be shown, is invisible.
Second, thanks for the images shown and for introducing us to Aida Muluneh and her efforts to encourage a wide ranging Ethiopian photojournalism.
But now a question, that I may be able to put to one or more Ethiopians at the Linköping Red Cross tomorrow, 10/12, a question growing out of this statement by Aida Muluneh.
"...the pictures were nothing like the memories she had of the country she left when she was 5."
What does a 5 year old remember about the country in which she spent the first 5 years of her life? I began first grade early in Rumford RI at age 5+ in 1937 and have tried all my adult life to remember something from that time. I remember exactly one small incident in my first grade classroom. All I knew first hand at that age was what I experienced visiting relatives. I knew nothing about "my country".
More power to her for being motivated by the stories told by her mother. Somali born Nadifa Mohamed, who herself left Somalia at age 5 or 6 has fine novels to her credit, thanks in part to stories told to her by her mother while she, Nadifa, was growing up in England.
I will very likely see two or three young Ethiopians at the Red Cross tomorrow, and I will show them Estrin's article and take it from there.
Stay tuned.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Images are fleeting things,unless they are timely captured what they represent or can record could get permanently lost.They also convey a lot hardly any word being used.The boy in the untitled who is most probably reading the Psalm of David is a reminder of a very rich tradition.In earlier generations, that includes mine,reading the PD not once but seven times was one of the necessary educational passages we had to pass through before being inducted to grade one (this used to apply to a large percentage of the population).We read PD or other religious ( actually cultural + linguistic literature too )both in Amharic and its parent language (Geez).Geez is to several Ethiopian Semitic Languages what Latin is to English,French,Italian, Spanish,etc..This learning ritual has invaluable contribution to future language fluency and the books are full of all sorts of wisdom.The young boy's dressing style is a reminder of ours some 50 yrs or so back.So, good Pics not only that they are reminders of what the past used to look like but what rich historical treasure could be lost if not properly cared for.The morale of the above is Good Photographic practice is a major knowledge sector as other commonly accepted major subjects.TMD.
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As I was preparing to teach a short story, "The Suitcase" by Meron Hadero, a writer born in Ethiopia, I sought images of life as it is lived there today to share with my students. Here they are! These are stunningly beautiful, deeply personal, visual poetry. Thank you!
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There's a certain innocence (to me) combined with its sheer simplicity and pure beauty of Gosette Lubondo's Imaginary Trip #1 that I find mesmerizing and fascinating. Thank you for this great story and visual gift.
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the easy seduction of the eye - put a beautiful child anywhere and one can think 'that's a nice place that deserves my attention'
without beauty as the image, the eye is not captured and nor is attention
more beauty please.
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Beautiful. I applaud Aida Muluneh.
Often, the images of Africa and Asia portrayed in the west can be labelled as poverty voyeurism. There is another story that needs to be told and here it is.
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...beautiful ! thoughtful ! informative ! thank-you to all !
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Extraordinary vision and images!
I have long admired the power of images to "speak" above
their weight/content.
These carry a great deal of gravitas.
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