Among the Ntomba and Ekonda in DR Congo, the primiparous nursing women ("Walé"), typically aged 15 to 18, have to follow a greater number of rules than other nursing women, which in turn give them a special social status within the society. These rules occur during a long seclusion period (from her husband) which starts just after delivery. During seclusion, the primiparous mother is subject to strict sexual taboos, the transgression of which is believed to have severe consequences on the child’s health. She must not perform any physical activity related to food production and preparation. For the first few months, she will not even be allowed to walk outside the hut. She engages daily in a sophisticated toilette, including spreading red "ngola' powder on her body, designed to focus everyone’s attention on her. Wearing a short loincloth, which does not cover her breasts, she displays her full forms to the sight of the entire community. She also has to get used to wearing heavy copper arm and footrings. The songs sung at the seclusion-ending festival, which is specific to each woman, refer to her story during the seclusion and glorify her fat appearance, a symbol of fecundity, which is highly valued in the society. However, due to economic factors, there are many husbands who cannot sustain the family’s demands for supporting Wale. Their husband who in turn will look for a new wife then often abandons them. Finding a new husband is likely to take time so in this case the Wale seclusion period increases to 5 or even 7 years. Never before has this unique ritual been documented through photography before.
Self-taught photographer for the last 25 years, my passion for travel, discovery, and learning about different cultures, my desire to document the realities that I witness since my childhood have been closely intertwined. Currently 44 years old, I have lived 32 years outside France, out of which 7 years in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In 2012, the growing need to express my creativity through photography pushes me to devote myself entirely to it (I was working for multinationals in Asia Pacific for over 20 years).
Awards Finalist SFR Jeunes Talents Paris Photo 2012
Winner Best Photo Story Award and Grant AFD 2012
Finalist LensCulture Exposure Awards 2013
Part of British Journal of Photography "the Ones to Watch" in 2014
Nominated Prix Découverte Rencontres Arles 2014
