Photography: Marie-Laure de Decker

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Patience, Beauty, Dignity

Excerpts from the text of photo-journalist Marie-Laure de Decker regarding Wodaabe tribe from Chad :

” People of Patience: These nomadic herders follow wherever their sacred cattle lead them, cultivating beauty, dignity and humanity….”

“Wodaabe: Their name means ‘people of the taboo,’ for the may things prohibited in their lives…”

“…A Wodaabe must never lose control, whether he’s confronting thirst, hunger or family. A man just always adhere to the three tenets of the pulaaku code: patience, awareness and modesty…”

“…The Wodaabe understand the mysteries of plants, trees and animals. They do not construct houses, preferring to sleep under the stars. They are walkers. They spend their lives walking…”

“…They always carry a brakey branch; offering a branch to someone instantly seals a pact of friendship…”