Diva Time in Kigali

Above: Moshions. Haute Couture in Kigali. Copyright Rupi Mangat.

Published 5 October 2019

I’m in the heart of mille collines – Kigali in Rwanda – and l’m having a blast. The city is sophisticated, charming, spotlessly clean and elegant that l’m cast under its spell.

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Mapping the Rock Art of Northern Kenya: Dating thousands of years ago, it’s an insight into a world that once was through art chiselled on rock by our human ancestors

Above: African Rock Art with giraffe illuminated against the night sky, north Kenya. Copyright: Paolo Torchio

Published: The East African Nation Media 28 September to 4 October 2019, abrdiged version

“It’s the night sky, the same night sky seen thousands of years ago by another person,” explains Paolo Torchio. “It’s what l wanted to capture.”

The image is taken in Turkana in Kenya’s northern desert lands, the bedrock of human evolution from several million years ago. The rock illuminated by a galaxy of stars shines on a giraffe chiselled on it by our human ancestors. It’s dated between 10,000 and two thousand years ago.

“The sky is the same thousands of years later,” comments Torchio, “but the landscape is not.”

Continue reading “Mapping the Rock Art of Northern Kenya: Dating thousands of years ago, it’s an insight into a world that once was through art chiselled on rock by our human ancestors”

A Great Time in Gisenyi

Above: Roundabout in Gisenyi. Copyrght Rupi Mangat

Published: 21 September 2019

Gisenyi in western Rwanda is the other half of an urban landscape that includes Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. So like Goma, Gisenyi is perched on the edge of the gas-filled Lake Kivu that is one of the African great lakes.

Pirogues on Lake Kivu as fishermen row ot for the night to trawl for the tasty fingerling, sambaza Copyrght Rupi Mangat (800x600)
Pirogues on Lake Kivu as fishermen row ot for the night to trawl for the tasty fingerling, sambaza. Copyrght Rupi Mangat

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Sailing Up Tana Delta

Above: Bajuni fishing boat at Kipini. Copyright Rupi Mangat

From the archives: January 2014

It’s 7 a.m. and we’re at the mooring bay in Kipini where the fishermen take a break from the deep sea and for their dhows and mashuas to be repaired. Their lives are centred around their fishing vessels with makeka’s spread on the sand covered with mosquito nets where they have spent the night. Local Pokomo women prepare breakfast for the men on the other side of the boats. We’re waiting for the boat to arrive from Ozi to sail us up the delta and it’s blazing hot.

Leisurely life - dhow transport sailing by villages along the river - rupi mangat - one time use only (800x600)
Leisurely life – dhow transport sailing by villages along the Tana Delta. Copyright Rupi Mangat

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In the Midst of Mt Mtelo

Part 2 of 2

I’m sitting on the saddle of the Sekerr mountain range between the peaks of Katugh and the rest: Kaimut, Chaichai and the famous Mtelo that is the peak and the fifth highest point in Kenya at 10,944 feet. It is also the sacred mountain of the Pokot and all face the mountain when praying.

Pokot kids playing football on the ridge of Sekerr Hills . Copyright Rupi Mangat (2) (800x450)
Pokot kids playing football on the ridge of Sekerr Hills between Kaitugh and Mtelo. Copyright Rupi Mangat

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