Sebiba: 3,000 year-old Tuareg tradition in Algeria

• Prize
  Honorable Mention
• Photographer
  Nina Golob, Slovenia
• Date of Photograph
  June 2025
• Instagram
  ngphotography_ninagolob

Sebiba is a centuries-old Tuareg ritual held annually in Djanet, Algeria, and recognized as a living symbol of identity, pride, and resilience. During the 10-day festival, the rival villages of Azellouaz and El Mihan compete in music and dance, with only one winner each year. Warriors perform symbolic sword battles while women sustain the rhythm through songs and tambourines. Children proudly carry blades, reflecting how cultural memory is passed from one generation to the next. In a rapidly changing world, Sebiba preserves the spirit and heritage of the Tuareg people.

Nina Golob is a Slovenian photographer working primarily in documentary and travel photography. Her work focuses on human stories, cultural identity, and everyday life. She has recently been developing long-term projects in the Sahara, Algeria, where she explores the lives and traditions of the Tuareg people and their deep connection to the land and their cultural heritage.

Awards BIFA 2025 - Honorable mention
TIFA 2025 - Honorable mention (category People Portrait)
TIFA 2025 - Honorable mention (category People Culture)
Refocus award 2025 - nominee
Lomography Awards: the TEN AND ONE 2019 Winner
TEN AND ONE Annual Lomography Photo Awards 2017 Winner