MOTHER OR CHILD: This Wodaabe child that I met at a Gerwul ceremony is already a mother. She is so young, and yet participates in this festival where she may find another man to elope with if she is displeased with her first husband. She seems so young to me, with my western perspective. And yet, ironically, it seems to me that Wodaabe girls marry a little later than their Touareg counterparts. While they might be betrothed as early as 14, they may also marry as late as 16. Read more…
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY ! JOYEUSE FETE DES MERES ! Today is mother’s day in France… being French-American allows me to officially celebrate mothers for two whole weeks! I would like to dedicate today’s post to the most unique, creative, generous, compassionate, inquisitive, rebellious, obstinate, and all around magnificent woman that I know.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD: (seventh in the breastfeeding series) In these photos, Fati feeds her newborn, Salim. Her daughter, Raichatou, and my sons, Fassely and Soriya, observe in adoration. Read more…
SURROGATE BREASTFEEDING: (sixth in the breastfeeding series) In this photo, a Fulani mother cares for the baby of one of her husband’s other wives; her co-wife. The baby’s birth mother has left for several months to neighboring Nigeria to raise money for the family selling traditional medicine and magic potions. Instead of taking her nursing child with her, she has left it to be cared for and nursed by her co-wife. Read more…
MY, WHAT AN UGLY BABY YOU HAVE! (fifth in the breastfeeding series) Mariama’s two week old son takes a break from nursing. She had not yet taken a bath nor bathed her son. In her community, mothers wait up until a month after birth before bathing their child for fear making their newborn sick. Read more…
BREASTFEEDING BEFORE ELOPING: (fourth in the breastfeeding series) This Wodaabe Fulani mother is nursing her baby while she awaits the beginning of the Geerewol ceremony. Read more…
NURSING A NEWBORN: (third in the breastfeeding series) Our Amman Imman nurse, Hadiza, films this young mother as she nurses her newborn. Hadiza is interviewing her about her breastfeeding habits; Read more…
IMMEDIATE AND EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING: (second in the breastfeeding series) This Touareg woman from the village of Kijigari is nursing one of her twins, as her other baby rests on her back.
I would like to return to yesterday’s post about how natural (or not) breastfeeding is. Read more…
50% or TENDERNESS DESPITE TRAGEDY: (Fifth in the Mother’s Day Series) In this photo, Fati looks tenderly onto her nephew while he caresses her face; meanwhile, her daughter Mariama looks over to her cousin questioningly. Fati, my soul sister and best friend, exudes tenderness, patience, kindness, and joy at all times. She is among the most caring and selfless mothers I know. At the same time, she has survived more tragedy as a mother than I could possibly fathom. Read more…