Guardians of tradition: fulani women between generations

• Prize
  Gold in Press/People/Personality
• Photographer
  Philipp Schmieja , Germany
• Date of Photograph
  November 2025

Normally, when the rainy season ended and the southern fringes of the Sahara desert began to dry, Fulani families gathered to drive their cattle, goats, and sheep toward cooler subtropical savannas. But warming temperatures have altered the families' lives. Now, it is mostly the men who depart, leaving women and children behind in villages. As the guardians of tradition, the women are responsible for safeguarding knowledge, practices, and values that have been passed down through generations. The series shows three generations of Senu Fulani women living under one roof.

Self-taught photographer and passionate traveler. I discovered my passion for photography during traveling African countries.
I had developed a fascination for tribes. This has been underpinned by my passion for photography. Tribal people are those who have unique customs. They often have a symbiotic bond with the environments in which they live.
I am using photography as a medium to capture candid moments as well as community spirit and portraits. And in that moment, through my lens, I am seeking to portray the soul of the places by blending intimate people photography with striking imagery