Taste for Africa

Over summer 2017, Witness Journal worked with Ghanaian association DUNK (Developing Unity, Nurturing Knowledge) to put on a photography workshop for young girls from Nima and Jamestown, two of the oldest neighbourhoods in Ghana’s capital city, Accra. Over the ten days of the workshop, the students - ten Christian and Muslim girls, of ages ranging from 14 to 17 - took photographs documenting everyday life in their neighbourhoods. Through lessons and discussions in the classroom and photo-expeditions around the city, students engaged with a number of the themes that DUNK’s team of staff and volunteers address on a day-to-day basis, including quality of life in their communities, friends, home and family, and household tasks, which girls here are required to carry out from a very young age. Founded in 2011, with the aim of fostering young people’s development through basketball, DUNK has over the years established a program of after-school activities, a playschool and a clothes-making workshop for young mothers. The aims of the photography workshop held by WJ formed part of a broader mission the association has embarked on to provide girls with vocation training and life skills and help them achieve a greater awareness of their abilities and talents. During the workshop, the girls worked in pairs and together as a group, taking turns to use the cameras available. The photos were selected at group editing sessions held at the end of each day out ‘in the field’. Image format and quality have been deliberately left unaltered. The girls’ work will be used to make a calendar, sales of which will be used to support DUNK’s activities. “Young traders selling” by @dunkgrassroots2011 @nicoladai @marinasmus @witnessjournal #tasteforafrica

Looks so yummy! 😋 Beautiful creation by @kaluhiskitchen ♥️ #yummmm #tasteforafrica

“Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.” Capture by @edpeetersphotography #tasteforafrica #malawi

In the streets of Porto-novo (Benin) during epiphany ceremony. There are a mix of traditional rituals, catholic practices and stunning clothes like these glasses made with boxes of tomato sauce and cork. Photo by @laurent.moreau.photography #benin #tasteforafrica

Long ago before their were humans or animals, trees could talk to the creator on the breeze.Most trees would use this ability to thank the creator for giving them life, that's was all but Baobab.Baobab was the first tree ever created. He had been around much longer than the others. He was the tallest & oldest tree on the planet. He had an opinion like a grumpy old man who had seen a lot of change.Baobab had a comment & complaint for everything. Every chance he got he would tell the creator his thoughts.In the beginning the creator tolerated Baoboab's constant dribble. He tolerated it as he had a soft spot for his first creation.As time went by the creators patience started to deminish.All Baobaob did was criticise the creators actions.The Baobab was not happy with a world that was rapidly filling up around him.The creator always told Baobab that he will always have a place high above the others.He would always be the widest & oldest, so Baobab should not worry.He should be quiet & appreciate his place on earth.Baobab did not, he continued to bombard the creator.One day the creator had had enough. He could not think clear, he did not have the time to attend to creating further beautiful plants or trees, he decided he had to do something.The creator asked the breeze to stop carrying Baobabs conversation, but it was not easy to do. The noise still came.The creator decided more drastic measures were needed, he did not know what to do. As he pondered this Baobab criticised him further. The creator snapped.The creator instantly drew all the clouds from the sky. He channeled them together before commanding them to flip Baobab upside down.Before Baobab knew it his long beautiful limbs were driven into the ground. He had no time to complain, his comments instantly muffled by the soil.Try as he might, Baobab was stuck. The clouds slipped away leaving it clear to all Baobab had a new appearance.Baobabs red waxy bark was still visible, but twisted roots now replaced the long luscious branches that once reached into the sky. This was a new ugly appearance but the creator was happy. He finally had some peace as Baobab is still muffled by the earth. By @benmcraephotography

Don't worry and smile. Everything is going to be alright! Tag a friend that really needs a big smile right know! photo by @izlaphotography #kenya #smile #tasteforafrica

In the photo, women are dancing and celebrating International women’s day in Lubango, Angola. There is so much buzz online these days about Harvey Weinstein and how manipulative some men can be, especially when they have power. But If you think women aren’t treated equally in the western world, you will become speechless with what happens in many African countries. We are not talking about the monstrosities like genital mutilation that make the news but for “minor” issues that considered to be normal and are deep rooted in African societies. The everyday stuff that no one talks like the “bride price” where a man pays the parents of a woman a fee, as a sign of appreciation for raising her. Practically buying her. How would you feel if you had a price tag in your head, like any other -over the counter- product? Photo by @jessartes #angola #tasteforafrica

An old #buffalo photographed with #BeetleCam by @willbl #tasteforafrica

#fulani woman by @izlaphotography #Mali #tasteforafrica

African snack yum! 😋😋 by @joana_choumali #yummy #tasteforafrica

Beautiful capture by @theroadprovides in #Kenya #masaimara 🔅 #tasteforafrica

#Samburu mythology, traces the Samburu’s origin to the god Nkai, who lives on Venus (a planet clearly visible in Samburuland skies). Legend has it that Nkai sent the Samburu to Earth via a long rope, later using the same interstellar rope to send them a gift of cattle. The Samburu flourished, but over time the respect of the warrior class (young men) towards the elders began to wane, and their contempt did not go unnoticed. Nkai, in a rage, sent forth a massive thunderstorm that severed the rope between Venus and Earth forever. Captured by @steviemannphotography Photo of A warrior looking out from Saruni Samburu. @sarunilodges #Kenya #tasteforafrica