Patchwork Drummer (1974) Photo

Photographer’s Note

A man celebrates the end of Ramadam in October 1974.

This photo is far from perfect with the man facing the full morning sun - but so few are my photos of this time that this is my only photo from our few days in El Geneina (Al Junaynan) in the west Darfur region of Sudan. I do especially like his clothing as it appears to be made of patchwork and I do wonder its significance?

I do though have very vivid memories of our 3 or 4 days in El Geneina. We flew in from N'Djamena as we were advised (because of potential rebel activity) not to travel by road through eastern Chad. We arrived in El Geneina one afternoon towards the end of Ramadam and everything was closed. We had no local currency, no food and there was no accomodation. However the police came to our rescue and we slept at the police station. I will never forget our first evening at the police station - after the sun had set the policemen and their families waited on us hand and foot providing us with trays of delicious food - and they would accept nothing in return. At this time I assume few westerners visited this area and we seemed to be objects of curiosity. We found the people of this area very friendly and generous which makes what they have subsequently endured just so unjust.

We spent about 4 days in El Geneina negotiating a ride on the back of a truck to take us the 360kms to Nyala which is the nearest railhead - and that is another story!

mahmoud, fanni, ang25, kschanna trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (9192) 2009-01-09 13:46

Hello Marlene,
It's such a pity that poor Sudan is only known for its civil wars and violent suppression of uprisings, when it's actually an extremely friendly and hopsitable country. Others have told me similar stories about how they were given food and accomodation by the police in remote places. A very interesting story. Also an interesting picture. This man looks so proud and dignified in his peculiar but elegant clothes. There is a blueish hue that could probably be adjusted. A cropping to the left would get rid of a part of the uninteresting building and open space. But what a memory you have from this picture!
Best regards,
Gert

fanni (8665) 2009-01-09 15:04

Hello Marlene,
I have read the note to your photo with great pleasure and interest, and it is really an integral part of this photo!
I like the "patchwork drummer" :) And it seems to me that it's exactly his patchwork clothes which add a very special appeal to the image. These patches may mean something, of course, but I do not know it, either.
His hands are moving noticeably (though, maybe, slowly), so it means he was drumming something... for you, while you were taking a photo of him?
Concerning the composition and the bluish tint, I agree with what Gert said. But it's memories which matter most, not really the quality, in this case. How often we take photos only for the sake of memories, forgetting about all the technical aspects!... But maybe such photos are often ones of the best!
Warm greetings from Moscow! -15C here again.....
Elena

foozi (4541) 2009-01-10 4:31

Hi Marlene,
thanks for the lovely shot of the guy and the interesting and informative notes.
This shot of culture and people is very captivating and indeed I like them and appreciate it very much. It is the best way to learn reality and deviate ourselves from biasness because we hear the first hand news from the person who experience it.
Congratulations and hope to venture more into your shot. they are wonderful.

regards,
foozi

kschanna (2567) 2009-01-16 22:16

Marlene,

Such a great underrated photo. Its interesting how most times, photos evoke such memories and its quite amazing that after 35 years, the memories are still vivid.

I think its a beautiful shot and when the photo has intrinsic value who cares about it being technically perfect. I love it for what it is, a picture of a proud man playing his drum... celebrating...for he has fasted for his creator for 30 days. I dont know what the significance of the patch work but it looks difnified.

Thanks for sharing this memory with us.

Cheers
Kamran

danbachmann (1682) 2009-05-30 14:01

Wow, you certainly have loads of travel stories! If you are ever in London, England, look up the Globetrotters travel club on the 1st Saturday of most months.

The photo shows the drummer but there is that space time thing again - it feels like another world and to get there, we need to travel in the 4th dimension. Just like returning to our childhood. I would have been only 4 years old then.

Your images can make us think about these places and the places we are/were.

ilDottore (3920) 2009-06-21 14:33

Hi Marlene,
Wonderful shot, full of sun and very optimistic.
Greetings from Dublin!
Chris

AKITA (5023) 2009-07-30 17:19

dear Mariene,
an impressive portrait shot,
his whole figure of face, costume, hand and foot and drum, is very clearly taken, and those characteristics are excellent.
strong light condition makes his presence so vivid,
and surrounding all looks hot and dry, those are stimulating to my sensation.
thank you,
Akihisa