1st place
gold star award
Trevor Cole
ireland 
Photo © Trevor Cole
title
Symbiosis in South Sudan
The Mundari cattle camp, seldom visited by outsiders, is quite simply incredible. The Mundari are friendly and enjoy being photographed. The dust and smoke intermingle to create an inimitable atmosphere. We arrived in the late afternoon when the light was soft and warm with long shadows. The tribe have all their wealth in their cattle and there are thousands of them. When young men of the tribe get married the dowry may be as much as 40 cattle. They cover themselves in the ash from their fires to protect against insects.
The dust is used to help dry the dung which is laboriously collected and piled in the mornings. It is then dried as fuel. They also cover themselves in ash for the same reason which gives them a ghostly appearance as they walk between their animals. As the sun sets in African style the light, smoke and dust create an ethereal atmosphere which makes it appear that the Mundari and their cattle fade into a mist. An ancient mist, trapped in time, where tribal traits and traditions are perpetuated in the twenty first century. These ancient practices ensure harmony with the environment and have a small ecological footprint which is local and ensures cultural longevity. These people have a very sustainable existence and their connection with nature should be a message to us all.
My photography focuses predominantly on culture and landscapes; images reflecting a spatial and temporal journey through life, while striving to reflect the need to live in a more sustainable world.
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entry description
Symbiosis in South Sudan, an inextricable bond.The Mundari cattle camp, seldom visited by outsiders, is quite simply incredible. The Mundari are friendly and enjoy being photographed. The dust and smoke intermingle to create an inimitable atmosphere. We arrived in the late afternoon when the light was soft and warm with long shadows. The tribe have all their wealth in their cattle and there are thousands of them. When young men of the tribe get married the dowry may be as much as 40 cattle. They cover themselves in the ash from their fires to protect against insects.
The dust is used to help dry the dung which is laboriously collected and piled in the mornings. It is then dried as fuel. They also cover themselves in ash for the same reason which gives them a ghostly appearance as they walk between their animals. As the sun sets in African style the light, smoke and dust create an ethereal atmosphere which makes it appear that the Mundari and their cattle fade into a mist. An ancient mist, trapped in time, where tribal traits and traditions are perpetuated in the twenty first century. These ancient practices ensure harmony with the environment and have a small ecological footprint which is local and ensures cultural longevity. These people have a very sustainable existence and their connection with nature should be a message to us all.
about the photographer
I am an international travel photographer and photo tour leader, based in Donegal, Ireland. Born in Derry, I went on to teach geography at international schools in Singapore, Togo, Italy, Ethiopia and Brazil – always travelling extensively with my camera. This naturally brought two of my life’s passions together as a geographer-photographer.
My photography focuses predominantly on culture and landscapes; images reflecting a spatial and temporal journey through life, while striving to reflect the need to live in a more sustainable world.
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