NEWS FLASH
This photo from Niger, West Africa, has been accepted into the Washington Gallery of Photography's National "My Hometown" Show, running from October 12 to November 6, 2007. Visit the News - Irene Abdou Photography webpage for further information.

About the Photograph:

This is Zalika, daughter of the former chief of Bele Kwara. Though Zalika no longer lives in Bele Kwara, as she has married and gone to her husband's village, she has returned for a visit. Zalika sports the traditional Fulani facial scarring that is considered beautiful. The scarring is done with a razor blade, and charcoal powder mixed with cream is rubbed into the fresh wound to create the darkened effect. Zalika also has had her lower lip and chin died black. This is fdone by piercing the lip with a needle in multiple locations, and then rubbing ground tree seeds into the dried wounds to blacken them.

Ref: 2007_4207 Niger Photos

Location: Bele Kwara, Niger

Photographer: Irene Abdou