Ninki Nanka’s appearance is hard to corroborate, with descriptions varying from tribe to tribe. For some, it combines the head of a crocodile with the body of a donkey; for others, it’s a blend of hippopotamus and giraffe. To others still, it’s simply a large snake. Not that seeing it is desirable — its one consistent trait is its fatal stare. Francis’ eyes comb the nearshore. “It’s believed that if you see the Ninki Nanka — purple glossy starling! — you’ll die.” Words by James R.Patterson/NatGeo Travel
The CAP Prize is directed at photographers whose work engages with the African continent or its diaspora. It consists of a series of exhibitions produced in collaboration with major photography festivals in Africa and the rest of the world.⠀
“I don’t care what you do with my picture or my story, but the fact you came and listened to me, that is enough” Alagie Sonko, falsely imprisoned by the former Jammeh regime. ‘Gambia-victims, and resisters’
Since 2017, we have photographed over one-hundred-and-twenty portraits, sites of violations and recorded video testimonies, in The Gambia, Senegal, and Ghana. Our work aims to expose the wide-reaching forms and scale of abuse – to create a historical archive and to be used as a tool for advocacy and public awareness. Early in the project, we came to understand that many people who sat for the portraits found it cathartic, having previously not been able to openly tell their stories, and so our work took on additional and profound meaning and made it a collaborative process. Alagie Sonko, falsely imprisoned by the regime, said to us “I don’t care what you do with my picture or my story, but the fact you came and listened to me, that is enough”. Jason Florio/Helen Jones-Florio ‘Gambia-victims, and resisters’
It’s not uncommon for States to do away with bothersome individuals and ensure their grip on the people by threatening them of sudden disappearance. Enforced disappearances are a grave violation of human rights, especially when widespread and carried out systematically. They are considered a crime against humanity... read/see more at TRIAL International
Yahya Jammeh ruled The Gambia with an iron fist for twenty two years after taking control of the country with a coup in July1994. With Jammeh’s exile after electoral defeat in 2016, a Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) was set up to look into his regime’s abuses. The TRRC along with victims families and local media at Yundum army Barracks where the bodies of seven murdered soldiers were exhumed. The soldiers were murdered by soldiers loyal to Jammeh for being allegedly part of a counter coup in November 1994. Witnesses say eleven soldiers were buried at the barracks, so far only seven have been found. Along with the bone fragments, electrical cables were also found that were used to bind the victims hands. The only clothing found were underwear, corroborating witness testimonies that the men were stripped almost naked before being shot. Jason Florio/Helen Jones-Florio
Elizabeth Avedon blog: Helen Jones-Florio Doors and Storefronts, The Gambia + Malta
Elizabeth Avedon Blog: Helen Jones-Florio Doors and Storefronts, The Gambia + Malta. Many thanks to Elizebeth for featuring my work – my passion for doors, and storefronts, from my #GambiaDoors and #DisappearingMalta ongoing series. See more on her blog:
Speaking of Portals reminded me of Helen Jones-Florio’s impressive photographs of vintage doors and storefronts taken in The Gambia and Malta. Helen Jones-Florio is based between London and The Gambia, West Africa with her multi-award-winning photojournalist and filmmaker partner, Jason Florio.Elizabeth Avedon
Helen Jones-Florio is a photography producer, writer and videographer. She has been traveling to West Africa for almost 20 years – and working in the region with Jason Florio since 2008. She has produced photography assignments around Africa, the USA and Europe. She is the co-founder, with Jason Florio, of the ‘Photos Tell Stories’photography workshops, and has created and produced extensive content for their expedition and photography workshop blogs.
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