JAN C. SCHLEGEL PHOTOGRAPHY

Alitash [9], Hamer tribe, Ethiopia

In the Hamar language Alitash’s name means: “I never want to lose you, whenever I look for you may I find you again always. You are a precious treasure”.

Monteria [10], Nuristani, Pakistan

Monteria’s family is originally from a people group called the Kalashi, and today are living in the remote area of the Hindukusch. The muslims promised the people money if they would convert. Today her family is missing the traditional clothing, culture, and celebrations.

Arifa [80], Kalashi, Pakistan

Arifa has many apricot trees and her self made wine is considered the best wine of the entire valley. She loves the old Kalash tradions and is conserned that the new school would not teach them anymore.

Amina [8], Beluchistani, Afghanistan

Amina lives in a small village in South Afghanistan in the vastness of the desert close to the border to Iran. Her favorite meal is camel-milk and mush.

Ileen [14], Katakari tribe, India

As the eldest daughter in her family, Ileen has to take care of her five siblings. Filled with pride she led us into her hut, to her family that was closely gathered around the fireplace. Our dinner was rice with lemon juice.

Zarmeda [83], Kalashi, Pakistan

Zarmedas hopes that the Kalashi will be able to keep their rich traditions and culture. Many of the Kalashi have bright blue eyes and blonde hair, which causes many to believe thet they are of Greek origin.

Amber & Durar [8 & 12], Tuareg, Algeria

The meaning of names is of great importance in the culture of the Tuareg. In Arabic, Amber means “jewel” and Durar “precious pearl”. Their Tuareg names are secret.

Ekri [50], Karo tribe, Ethiopia

Ekri is a highly respected warrior of the Karo tribe. He has killed 6 lions, 4 elephants, many crocodiles, 14 buffalos and other wild animals.

Biwa [44], Picture 3, Karo Tribe, Ethiopia

Biwa is one of the very respected warriors of the Karo tribe. He killed 3 lions, 4 elephants, 5 leopards, 15 buffalos, many crocodiles and two people in a war with the neighbouring tribe.

Nasima [9], Pashtun, Pakistan

Nasima’s family is eminently respectable in the village. Her father is the eldest of the village and he ensures that once a month a doctor comes to the village to care for the people medically. He invited us for the traditional tea and offered us to stay in his house for the night.

Meisa & Bona [13], Hamer tribe, Ethiopia

Meisa & Bona are twins. When questioned about their wishes for the future, they answered: many goats and a good husband.

Mabruko [9], Beduine, Egypt

Mabruko is living in the Libyan Desert in a little Oasis. When we arrived there, her father proudly introduced us to whole family, 3 wives and 30 children.

Mabruko [9], Beduine, Egypt

Mabruko is living in the Libyan Desert in a little Oasis. When we arrived there, her father proudly introduced us to whole family, 3 wives and 30 children.

Berlegu [14], Sure Tribe, Ethiopia

Berlegu is holding in her hands a surgum plant which is ready to be planted in her fields near the river. This will produce the food which provides her and her family their main meals. From the seeds they make a type of porridge which they eat out of an empty pumpkin.

Nakoro [13], Sure Tribe, Ethiopia

I needed to stay for several days in the village before I was able to take a picture of Nakoro. Just before we were about to leave, she came back showing me the little birds and wanted me to take a picture of her. She was very happy.

Barbume [12], Sure Tribe, Ethiopia

The Sure live at the east side of the Omo river near the border to Sudan and Kenya. Barbume´s village is on top of a mountain from which his tribe are able to see in advance the approach of any enemies intending harm to the Sure villages.

Nale [18], Sure Tribe, Ethiopia

Nale lives in a little village on top of a mountain very close to the border to Sudan. She is the daughter of one of the elders of the tribe. The size of the earring shows how much the bride price is. The larger the plate in her ear, the higher the bride price.

Olekibo [13], Sure Tribe, Ethiopia

Each name of the Sure has a special meaning. Olekibo was the name given to this boy and it means, "son of the mother who outran her enemies."

Paldhen & Sandchia, Mugali tribe, Nepal

Paldhen & Sandchia are from a small isolated tribe close to the Tibetan border in Nepal. As believing Buddhists they never put their prayer wheels aside.

Brahano [23], Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Brahano is living on the garbage dump of Addis Ababa. When we asked, what the most valuable lesson he has learned there was, he answered: We have adapted our lives to live with the hyenas, we sleep outside on the ground hiding under the trash while the hyenas walked over us.

Ama [9] & Gado [11], Karo tribe, Ethiopia

The siblings live in a national park in the south of Ethiopia. Over and over again elephants come into their village and destroy the houses and fields.

Ama [9] & Gado [11], Karo tribe, Ethiopia

The siblings live in a national park in the south of Ethiopia. Over and over again elephants come into their village and destroy the houses and fields.

Hammi [12], Kuwaigo tribe, Ethiopia

Hammi is the oldest child of the family. He has two brothers and one sister. He has never seen white people before. The Kuwaigo are a small people-group of about 800 men that settled down in little villages along the Omo river.

Sidali [18], Saharawi tribe, West Sahara

The Saharawi live in the least approachable sections of the Sahara in Mauretania and the Western Sahara. Many Saharawi live in refugee camps in Algeria today.

Sidali [18], Saharawi tribe, Wes Sahara (#23)

The Saharawi live in the least approachable sections of the Sahara in Mauretania and the Western Sahara. Many Saharawi live in refugee camps in Algeria today.

Brittney [20], USA

Rajan [50], Rajastani tribe, India

Many in the village seek Rajan’s advice because he has already arranged succesful marriages for all of his children. Filled with pride he presents his cobras that dance according to the movement of his flute.

Salam [14], Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Salam is one of the girls who works on the garbage dump of Addis Ababa. Every day she digs through trash looking for plastic to recycle. When asked what her dreams for her life are she responded, "my only dream is to survive."

Solahi [13], Mursi tribe, Ethiopia

Jyartesh [16], Goloch, Tibet

Jyartesh was given to a monastery in Amdo, Tibet, by her family. That is supposed to mean luck and hope for a better future. She is the youngest of thirteen women who live in a small monastery at the foot of the Holy Mountain Amni Matchen.

Jaya [9], Juhi [12] & Vasu [10], Rajastani tribe, India

Jaya, Juhi and Vasu live in mud huts in the desert of Rajastan. They have the possibility to attend school in the small mosque in the center of the village.

Safaina & Rume [13 & 14], Kalashi, Pakistan

Before 1990 more than 100,000 Kalashi lived in the valleys of Northern Pakistan, in Kalifistan. Today there are only 3,000 Kalashi living in 7 villages that follow their traditional ways of life.

Agolia [6], Kalashi, Pakistan

We met Agolia and her family while they were working in the field. They gathered hay that will be the feed for the goats in the winter months. Agolia loves to play with her two little goats.

Salam [14], Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Salam is one of the girls who works on the garbage dump of Addis Ababa. Every day she digs through trash looking for plastic to recycle. When asked what her dreams for her life are she responded, "my only dream is to survive."

Masrana [13], Kalashi, Pakistan

Masrana lives in a small village in Nuristan. Despite the minority protection program of the UNO, the village can still feel the influence of the Muslims. Many women and girls wear veils because of that.

Zahirana [14], Kalashi, Pakistan

Zahirana lives in a small village in Kalifitan, the border area between Pakistan and Afghanistan. It’s a small valley surrounded by the snowcovered mountains of the Hindukush. It is assumed that the Kalashi people are descendants of Alexander the Great.

Meisa & Bona [13], Hamer tribe, Ethiopia (Picture 2)

Meisa & Bona are twins. When questioned about their wishes for the future, they answered: many goats and a good husband.

Women in the monastery at Amni Matchen, Tibet

When we arrived at the monastery at the foot of Amni Matchen, the Buddhist nuns invited us for a meal. Afterwards the elders tought the others in the teachings of Buddha. Most of them have never left the monastery.