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Nguon Soldier


Nguon Soldier
Photo Information
Copyright: Steven Le Vourc'h (Curioso) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 585 W: 287 N: 1499] (8920)
Genre: People
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-12-10
Categories: Festivals
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Tamron 28-75 f2.8 DI, Digital RAW, Hama UV 72 mm
Exposure: f/4, 1/400 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: LIVING IN CAMEROON
Theme(s): Around the world [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-12-16 8:46
Viewed: 1733
Favorites: 3 [view]
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Last week-end, a major event called "Nguon festival" took place like every two years, gathering the "Bamoun" people around the palace for two days of ceremonies.

This is a major cultural and political event since the Sultan still has a great influence in the political life of the Province.

During the "Nguon", on Saturday, the Mfon (sultan) has to listen to spokemen from the Bamoun people (praises like criticisms) who try to judge the past two years. He has to answer to fundamental questions raised at the moment by the spokemen. In a certain way, this is a piece of democracy in a frozen political system in which the new Mfon must be a son of the former one. He has to face for few hours the spokemen and answer their remarks in front of the people gathered around him.

The Second day, a long march is organized. This is a soldier getting ready to walk with the Sultan toward the battle field. This portrait was taken just in front of the Bamoun palace at Foumban, 300km north-west of Douala.

This walk is supposed to start very early (around 4:00AM) to get sure that women can't see that event. We checked this fact from different people who almost convinced us that it had to do with tradition and the Sultan had to tie the Ancestors schedule... But Cameroon being Cameroon, we got up at 6:00 AM, arrived at the entrance at the palace around 7:00 AM, early enough to walk around, have a breakfast, shooting many portraits. The walk didn't start before 9:00 AM :)
demneh, rjb874, grigand, miuky, SamB, gary91, Jean-Luc, sebcz has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Salut Steven,
son fusil date de l'époque de la colonie!!!avec un peu de chance il sert encore..
Belle image de ce "guerrier",tant de couleurs et de détails.belle exposition aussi.j'aime.

very intresting
this is the exact kinds of pictures we should see in TE
wolldone Steven

A great picture that shows culture and tradition. Well done.

Hi Steven,
A great shot, very very interesting this picture. The color is very good.

Ciao
Andrea

Hello Steven,
great shot! Excellent sharpness.

Have a nice day,
Chrysoula.

  • Great 
  • miuky Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 443 W: 48 N: 610] (3335)
  • [2006-12-16 9:49]

hy steven great portrait...exellent shot, anh he's eyes...wow...what an eyes...all the picture is there to show this eyes!!
I love it!!
Regards, m.

  • Great 
  • SamB Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 494 W: 58 N: 418] (1944)
  • [2006-12-17 0:32]

Hello, Steven--
Another nice piece, you did well to keep the composition dynamic, allowing the movement of the gun to pull us from the bottom of the frame to the man's eyes, which are absolutely captivating. Another top-notch note, as well.

Thanks!
sam

très belle parure. Belle image.
Marie

  • Great 
  • gary91 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2153 W: 492 N: 3205] (14529)
  • [2006-12-17 4:51]

Bonjour Steven,
Il est beau ce portrait ! les couleurs sont magnifiques et les peintures de ce guerrier assez originales. En fait, il n'a pas l'air très effrayany avoir son regard un peu perdu et son fusil du siècle passé...
Dommage pour l'arrière-plan un peu surex.
Bon dimanche à toi.
Amicalement. Christian

Bonjour Steven,
Malgré son fusil, il ne fait pas trop peur ce guerrier tout bariolé et avec son grigri sur la poitrine. Il a l'air plutôt effrayé qu'on le prenne en photo!
Une réussite,
Amicalement
Jean-Luc

  • Great 
  • sebcz Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 667 W: 149 N: 348] (2345)
  • [2006-12-18 6:02]

Hi Steven!
A very informative TE note, thank you for that. As for the photo - I am always amazed to see all those colourfully painted people, it really is something special.
Seb

Hi!
This photo has been chosen by me to represent country in which it was taken in thema "Around the world", it is a very good and sucesful capture and excellent photo!

  • Great 
  • xramm Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 161 W: 4 N: 37] (695)
  • [2007-01-17 10:58]

Superb quality and good harmony of colors.Great.

Hi Steven,
exellent shot, anh he's eyes...wow...what an eyes...all the picture is there to show this eyes............
well don
waseem khan

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