British photographer Jimmy Nelson spent three years traveling to remote areas of the world to document the lives of indigenous people. He visited 35 different tribes, nine of them in Africa, like the pictured Karo tribe in Ethiopia.
'Before They Pass Away' —
British photographer Jimmy Nelson spent three years traveling to remote areas of the world to document the lives of indigenous people. He visited 35 different tribes, nine of them in Africa, like the pictured Karo tribe in Ethiopia.
Courtesy Jimmy Nelson/teNeues
An estimated 200,000 tribal people live in the Omo Valley in Ethiopia. The Karo are small in number with around 3,000 living on the Omo River's eastern banks. Before a ceremony, they paint their bodies and faces with white chalk.
The Karo —
An estimated 200,000 tribal people live in the Omo Valley in Ethiopia. The Karo are small in number with around 3,000 living on the Omo River's eastern banks. Before a ceremony, they paint their bodies and faces with white chalk.
Courtesy Jimmy Nelson/teNeues
Nelson says he had to gain the trust of the tribes before they would let him take their portraits. "You make one contact and before you know it, somebody else is there. And at the end of the day the whole village is in," Nelson says.
The Karo —
Nelson says he had to gain the trust of the tribes before they would let him take their portraits. "You make one contact and before you know it, somebody else is there. And at the end of the day the whole village is in," Nelson says.
Courtesy Jimmy Nelson/teNeues
Nelson says the most challenging part of his African journey was approaching the Ethiopian tribes, like the Mursi, pictured. He says they were very protective of their territory, and he was often greeted by men carrying Kalashnikov rifles.
The Mursi —
Nelson says the most challenging part of his African journey was approaching the Ethiopian tribes, like the Mursi, pictured. He says they were very protective of their territory, and he was often greeted by men carrying Kalashnikov rifles.
Courtesy Jimmy Nelson/teNeues
The British photographer visited one of the last great warrior cultures -- the Maasai (pictured). The Maasai are one of Africa's best-known tribes.
The Maasai —
The British photographer visited one of the last great warrior cultures -- the Maasai (pictured). The Maasai are one of Africa's best-known tribes.
Courtesy Jimmy Nelson
From a very early age, the Maasai boys learn the responsibilities of being a man and a warrior. The Maasai live in Kenya and Tanzania.
The Maasai —
From a very early age, the Maasai boys learn the responsibilities of being a man and a warrior. The Maasai live in Kenya and Tanzania.
Courtesy Jimmy Nelson/teNeues
The Banna people (also known as Bana) in Ethiopia are approximately 45,000 in number. They are famed for their "bull jumping" ceremony, where the men earn the right to marry by making four runs over the backs of cows.
The Banna —
The Banna people (also known as Bana) in Ethiopia are approximately 45,000 in number. They are famed for their "bull jumping" ceremony, where the men earn the right to marry by making four runs over the backs of cows.
Courtesy Jimmy Nelson/teNeues
Nelson visited the African tribes during five trips to the continent. He says that the Kenyan Samburu are more traditional than the Maasai and more independent and egalitarian.
The Samburu —
Nelson visited the African tribes during five trips to the continent. He says that the Kenyan Samburu are more traditional than the Maasai and more independent and egalitarian.
Courtesy Jimmy Nelson/teNeues
Nelson grew up in various African countries until the age of seven. But he says his childhood isn't there anymore. "Africa is evolving the quickest in my opinion. It has lost the majority of its ethnicity and authenticity," he says.
The Samburu —
Nelson grew up in various African countries until the age of seven. But he says his childhood isn't there anymore. "Africa is evolving the quickest in my opinion. It has lost the majority of its ethnicity and authenticity," he says.
Courtesy Jimmy Nelson/teNeues
One thing that stood out to Nelson when meeting the different African tribes was their awareness of their appearances, including the "beautiful" Himba.
The Himba —
One thing that stood out to Nelson when meeting the different African tribes was their awareness of their appearances, including the "beautiful" Himba.
Courtesy Jimmy Nelson/teNeues
Nelson said the most pleasant trip was visiting the Namibian Himba. "The aesthetic of their body, of their dress, of their dance and of their movement I find extraordinary and very few of us will ever look as beautiful as them," he says.
The Himba —
Nelson said the most pleasant trip was visiting the Namibian Himba. "The aesthetic of their body, of their dress, of their dance and of their movement I find extraordinary and very few of us will ever look as beautiful as them," he says.
Courtesy Jimmy Nelson/teNeues
The Dassanech in Ethiopia, pictured, will allow anyone to be one of them, as long as they agree to be circumcised, Nelson explains.
The Dassanech —
The Dassanech in Ethiopia, pictured, will allow anyone to be one of them, as long as they agree to be circumcised, Nelson explains.
Courtesy Jimmy Nelson/teNeues
The 45-year-old photographer says his book is just the beginning of a larger project. He wants his photographs and stories to inspire discussion. "In my eyes the tribespeople are emotionally and socially very rich but materially very poor, and we're the opposite," he says. "How aware of how special they are is debatable, hence why I want to start this discussion. Before they pass away."
Jimmy Nelson —
The 45-year-old photographer says his book is just the beginning of a larger project. He wants his photographs and stories to inspire discussion. "In my eyes the tribespeople are emotionally and socially very rich but materially very poor, and we're the opposite," he says. "How aware of how special they are is debatable, hence why I want to start this discussion. Before they pass away."
Courtesy Jimmy Nelson/teNeues