Exquisite Images
December 16, 2008, by Carine Fabius
Tribus de L’OMO / Hans Silvester
I received this link from my friend, Asandra, whose email subject line simply said “exquisite images.” She was not wrong. These magical, lyrical and totally surprising photos of an Ethiopian tribe adorning themselves with natural pigments and flora, literally made me quiver with wonder and delight. Something about the thrill of nature and of people living lives that hark back to simpler times—before technology, modernity and banks! My first intake of breath started around the sixth photo and never stopped. One of these has to become my Christmas card. I just can’t decide which one!
The French text preceding the photos describes in somewhat poetic language how these people, with their hands, fingernails and sticks create masterpieces that the Miros, Picassos and Pollocks of the world sought to channel onto their canvases. If there is a ceremonial context or specific tradition behind this powerful and harmonious melding of humanity with nature, there is no mention of it here. I did some investigating and photographer Hans Silvester has a book of these images and more coming out in April 2009, which may shed more light on this phenomenon. I’m so glad!
—Carine
See a larger version of Hans Silvester’s stunning images here >>
December 16th, 2008 at 6:45 am
I imagine this is what the Garden of Eden must have looked like, with the inhabitants there adorning their bodies with the bounty of nature, making themselves just one more canvas on which the Garden’s cornucopia of gifts can be sketched.
Thank you for sharing these exquisite images and reminding us that authentic beauty is not bought at the make up counter at the mall, or ordered from a catalog, or seen in the glossy pages of a magazine.
December 16th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Breathtaking beauty!
December 16th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Carine: Good luck in choosing the image for your Christmas card–each of these is more stunning than the last. Thanks for sharinG
December 17th, 2008 at 3:09 am
Seeing things like this make me feel so small
By trying to live better every day, better then what?
So this means life makes sense just by living, no answers required
December 20th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Crikey! I have gone through the images so many times and find something new on each viewing. Thank you.
February 1st, 2009 at 7:17 pm
If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly our whole life would change. Thank you SO MUCH. “Mesi pou bel travay sa wap fe”
“AYI BOBO ” Makini
February 15th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Beautiful souls. Thank you Carine for inspiring my blog post. I can’t wait to see Hans Silvester’s new book, which comes out in late April and includes the photographs in the slideshow. It’s titled Natural Fashion: Tribal Decoration from Africa. The ephemeral artistic expressions of the Surma and Mursi people now fill my thoughts daily. They make me mindful to express my life with joyful creativity, even as I write this wearing my usual black t-shirt and blue jeans.