Human Interest

Hamani

Hamani

Hamani has a deep, contagious laugh, and an irresistibly friendly personality.  I met him several years ago.  Every time we ...
Cheifou the Marabout

Cheifou the Marabout

Cheifou is a marabout, or Islamic religious leader.  I walk past Cheifou every day, as he sits outside of his ...
A Different Kind of Home

A Different Kind of Home

This is Saidou Mano with all his belongings. Unlike many brown men (homeless people) I run into in Niamey, he ...
Saidou Mano

Saidou Mano

Saidou Mano is the homeless man of Recasement.  I’ve seen him for years walking around our neighborhood with his green ...
Malimouhama, His Cows… and Tassomeiaki

Malimouhama, His Cows… and Tassomeiaki

I have known Malimouhama for the past seven years. He keeps his cows in the street, outside of his home.  ...
Hadjara Imitating Indima Crying

Hadjara Imitating Indima Crying

I hesitated to make a second post about Hadjara, but she is so hilarious, that I couldn’t help myself.  Before ...
Hadjara

Hadjara

I’ve walked past Hadjara for years, always feeling a little intimidated. She typically returns my salutations with a scornful glance. Yet occasionally, ...
Ahoudan At the Timia Cascade

Ahoudan At the Timia Cascade

AHOUDAN AT THE TIMIA CASCADE:  I know I recently posted this photo, but since this is one of my favorite ...
Ahoudan And His Glasses

Ahoudan And His Glasses

AHOUDAN AND HIS GLASSES: For days I watched Ahoudan with this sticker on his glasses, until I finally took pity ...
The Traditional Energy Drink

The Traditional Energy Drink

THE TRADITIONAL ENERGY DRINK: In this photo, Ahoudan is sorting dates for his wife, Alhoubada. She has asked him to ...
Ahoudan Drying His Pants

Ahoudan Drying His Pants

AHOUDAN DRYING HIS PANTS: In this photo, Ahoudan and I were walking in the guelta near the village of Aouderas ...
My Father the Visionary

My Father the Visionary

MY FATHER, THE VISIONARY:  In this photo, my father, Michael Kirtley, is dressed as a Touareg, and sits contemplating the ...
Ahoudan, My Touareg Father

Ahoudan, My Touareg Father

AHOUDAN, MY TOUAREG FATHER: Ahoudan is someone that if you continue to follow me, you will learn to know him ...
The Family Portrait

The Family Portrait

THE FAMILY PORTRAIT: In this photo, you can see Alhassan with his wife, Sadouan, and their children.  Mouheini, who you ...
Alhassan

Alhassan

ALHASSAN: In this photo, one of my best friends, Alhassan, watches his son adoringly as he takes a nap.  Alhassan ...

 

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