MERKATO, ADDIS ABEBA.

One of my humbling lifetime experiences as a photographer in 2014 was attending Addis FotoFest 3^rd edition, thanks to Goethe Institute and Moving Africa Program for funding the trip.

During the weeklong stay in Addis, I met renowned heads of the industry from the continent and beyond. Eyed incredible and educational photography, video and sculpture masterpieces of mind-blowing creativity, projects and motives by artists from across the planet. The diversity of the exhibited body of works ranging from art to documentary to portraiture to contemporary to studio and so on, made a remarkable learning and inspiring environment for me, additionally the portfolio-reviews by various experts, networking with fellow artists and art administrators.

By the end of the entire festival we became a family.

With pleasure I want to commend and express my gratitude to AidaMuluneh and team for everything.

Here are some images I captured from a day tour around Addis Ababa and most of it is from Merkato, Market. Some of the techniques applied in this collection are inspired by the festival experience, stimulated knowledge from feedback and inspiration.

Not forgetting to mention the great feeling of feasting on the real Ethiopian food and Macchiato.

MASAI MARA

Baboon Monkey "the Olive Baboon"

Wildebeest grazing in the First light before migration. 

African Sausage tree

Wildebeest migrating.

Plains Zebras

My favorite, Hippopotamus. 

Maasai Giraffe.

African Bush elephant.

Maasai Chief

Maasai boy

Maasai women singing. In the Masai culture musical practices are entirely vocal songs, no musical instrument is used.

Maasai Tribe Shoes.

Maasai Woman. In the Masai culture its the duty of a woman to build a house for their families

Maasai warrior Jump dance know as "Adumu" which means to jump in the Maa language. its a show of strength, manhood for the highest jumpers and a way of getting a mate. Adumu is used to celebration many events in the Maasai culture.