Umoja Village in Samburu County, northern Kenya is a single-sex community where only women reside, and no men are allowed. In 2017, Ghanaian photographer Paul Ninson visited for his photo series, "Village with No Men." <strong>Look through the gallery for more images from the series.</strong>
Umoja Village in Samburu County, northern Kenya is a single-sex community where only women reside, and no men are allowed. In 2017, Ghanaian photographer Paul Ninson visited for his photo series, "Village with No Men." Look through the gallery for more images from the series.
Paul Ninson
The women of Samburu vary in age and many are survivors of gender-based violence. Ninson says he decided to pursue photography to share "undertold or untold stories of people of the continent" -- an element of what he calls "community storytelling."
The women of Samburu vary in age and many are survivors of gender-based violence. Ninson says he decided to pursue photography to share "undertold or untold stories of people of the continent" -- an element of what he calls "community storytelling."
Paul Ninson
The village was founded in 1990, and the first few members of Umoja were from remote Samburu villages scattered across the Rift Valley.
The village was founded in 1990, and the first few members of Umoja were from remote Samburu villages scattered across the Rift Valley.
Paul Ninson
Rebecca Lolosoli, pictured here, is the village matriarch. After fleeing an abusive marriage, she founded the village with 15 other women.
Rebecca Lolosoli, pictured here, is the village matriarch. After fleeing an abusive marriage, she founded the village with 15 other women.
Paul Ninson
With no prior contact with the women, Ninson took the trip blind, knowing only the general location of the village. He says gaining access was very difficult, and he was only welcomed by the women after explaining the purpose behind his visit, adding that they were "very, very happy" when he showed them the pictures he took.
With no prior contact with the women, Ninson took the trip blind, knowing only the general location of the village. He says gaining access was very difficult, and he was only welcomed by the women after explaining the purpose behind his visit, adding that they were "very, very happy" when he showed them the pictures he took.
Paul Ninson
Umoja is a Kiswahili word which means "unity." The number of residents in the village at its peak was around 50 families, made up of women and their children.
Umoja is a Kiswahili word which means "unity." The number of residents in the village at its peak was around 50 families, made up of women and their children.
Paul Ninson
A mother and son are pictured at the village. Male children of the Umoja women are allowed to live in Umoja until they turn 18.
A mother and son are pictured at the village. Male children of the Umoja women are allowed to live in Umoja until they turn 18.
Paul Ninson
Umoja is close to a campsite popular with tourists who are visiting the region to explore the famous Maasai Mara wildlife reserve. Tourists who wish to visit Umoja are charged a small entrance fee.
Umoja is close to a campsite popular with tourists who are visiting the region to explore the famous Maasai Mara wildlife reserve. Tourists who wish to visit Umoja are charged a small entrance fee.
Paul Ninson
The lifestyle of an Umoja resident is modest, with the women working to earn income for food and educational resources for the village's children and some of the women themselves. The women make money by selling their handcrafted jewelry, pictured, an intrinsic part of Samburu culture, mainly to tourists.
The lifestyle of an Umoja resident is modest, with the women working to earn income for food and educational resources for the village's children and some of the women themselves. The women make money by selling their handcrafted jewelry, pictured, an intrinsic part of Samburu culture, mainly to tourists.
Paul Ninson
The community is dedicated to supporting each other and upholding their right to a life free of gender-based violence. Ninson's goal in sharing these images, along with his other series, is to "connect people with each other" and with the wider world around them. "I believe in the power of storytelling," he adds. "It has the power to bring people together and to help us see the world in new and unexpected ways."
The community is dedicated to supporting each other and upholding their right to a life free of gender-based violence. Ninson's goal in sharing these images, along with his other series, is to "connect people with each other" and with the wider world around them. "I believe in the power of storytelling," he adds. "It has the power to bring people together and to help us see the world in new and unexpected ways."
Paul Ninson