Burkina Faso: Gurunsi house, a photo from Centre-Sud, East

Photographer's Note

"Copyright © – Attila Szili.
The reproduction, publication, modification, transmission or exploitation of any work contained herein for any use, personal or commercial, without my prior written permission is strictly prohibited. All rights reserved."

The Gurunsi people live in fortified houses in the Tiébélé region on the border of Burkina Faso and Ghana. There are numerous ethnic sub-groups among the Gurunsi. The Gurunsi women, using guinea-fowl's feather, cover the façade of their huts with colourful geometric patterns of red, black and white, creating abstract frescoes.
Just to specify: the conical, grey stucture on the right is a granary, and that what seems a big hat is the top of it.

riclopes, Paolo, jurarafal, Cricri, bostankorkulugu, lestans, sabyasachi1212, axiotea, josepmarin, Vato_Law, john_c, Wanda1, vinicio, sufi, Scharan, syd1946, parbo, sergio1, cunejo200, Emile, maximage, chrisnet, stego, flory, tigra, jhm, papagolf21, eleparc, nikosrio ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

duru (164) 2007-02-12 4:01

perfect documentary... all patterns are visible , nice painted mudbrick houses...

good job.

Henryk_Bilor (20803) 2007-02-12 4:02

Hi Attila
Interesting house. I like the composition and the colours at the image. Great hat :)
Have a nice day.

markstaples (15670) 2007-02-12 4:07

Hi Attila
A well framed shot with good composition and sharpness. You've managed what appears to be harsh lighting very well. Nice work.
Best wishes
Mark

bhima (726) 2007-02-12 4:15

Original view from rare original african houses.
Thanks for sharing.

Thomas

riclopes (35577) 2007-02-12 4:29

Olá Attila, another spectacular shot from you. I feel like travelling with National Geographic in your pictures from these remote and less known places. Everything is interesting to observe here, especially the patterns on the façade and the intriguing shape of this big volume at right. Nice to see the human hidden behind the wall. Thanks a lot for sharing these images.
Best regards,
Ricardo

Paolo (41258) 2007-02-12 4:32

Ciao Attila, bella foto con questa tipica casa e, credo, un forno sulla destra.
buona qualità, luce e POV.
buoan giornata, ciao

PixelTerror (0) 2007-02-12 4:56

Szia Attila,
Indeed there's NatGeo appeal in this one, the sensation to discover remote and preserved places. A well exposed photo with a somewhat chaotic view, but all seems normal as measured on the relaxed owner's attitude.
Have a nice day,
Jean-yves

jurarafal (265) 2007-02-12 5:12

And I like the contrast between the broken shed and the well preserved house

Cricri (176) 2007-02-12 5:37

Bonjour Attila,
Un endroit peu connu ou pas du tout qu'il est intéressant de découvrir, comme cette présentation
détails et couleurs
merçi à toi
bonne journée
amitié
cricri

bostankorkulugu (42832) 2007-02-12 6:44

what an architecture... that parasol looks real fun on that corner :)... cheers attila...

Gerrit (59968) 2007-02-12 7:49

Hi Attila,
Beautiful decorated house and the positionimg of the posing lady next to the impressive riock is a good finesher,
Regards, Gerrit

gilou530 (34) 2007-02-12 7:55

salut attila
magnifique vue sur ce village typique d'afrique noire, les couleurs sont superbes, et le cadrage top, bravo
amitiés
gilbert

gemlik (983) 2007-02-12 8:20

Hello Attila,
very interesting original african houses.
nice shot.colors,lighting and all details are beautiful.Thanks for sharing with TE.
Best regards
Bulent

brevbrev14 (140) 2007-02-12 8:44

ciao Attile, bellissima questa immagine!
adoro vedere questo tipo di architettura locale e meravigliosa l' inserzione della donna con una espressione così bella!!
grande risultato!
ciao!
Valeria

lestans (17258) 2007-02-12 8:48

Ciao Attila!!
bellissimo ed interessantissimo! Stai postando immagini fra le più interessanti che si siano viste su TE. Complimenti invidiosi!!

Livia

paura (25802) 2007-02-12 8:51

Attila,
This is a fascinating photo with a lot of interesting details. Excellent shot, friend.

Paulo

vincz (19113) 2007-02-12 9:00

Excellent composition with great tones. It is propelling me in a world that is so different from where I am today!

Greetings from Kathmandu!

Budapestman (82620) 2007-02-12 12:08

Szia Attila,
No, most már tényleg eldobom az agyam....komolyan mondom, lassan pályázhatsz a legkülönlegesebb és legérdekesebb helyeken készült fotók díjára.
Ismét egy kitűnő zsánerfotó, fantasztikus részletekkel egy egészen más kultúráról….. és ismét elismerésre méltó érzékenységgel mutatod be a TE közönségnek. Csak gratulálni tudok, további szép képeket és élményeket!
Gyuri

maki (0) 2007-02-12 12:27

Incredible composition, full of geometrical and graphical content, good colors, interesting as a scene. You are real traveller Attila,
regards,
maki

sabyasachi1212 (19779) 2007-02-12 12:43

Hi Attila,
Another interseting photo showing us the daily life from a largely unknown culture. Strange looking houses and peculiar patterns on the walls. Reminds me somewhat of some of the remote tribal villages in India. Life probaly hasn't changed for them.
With Greetings from India
Sabyasachi

axiotea (21651) 2007-02-12 14:24

Hello Attila,
Great daily lfe scen and also architectural photo.. very exotic, with perfect light, colors and sharpness..I like this person's attitude!
Excellent job
Marilyn

tinamunk3 (6408) 2007-02-12 15:11

Burkina Faso.....so that's where you went, Attila :O)

Very interesting to see the houses os this ethnic group and I CAN'T wait to see some close up's of the people......I see you have changed your intro photo :O)

I'll follow your serie.

:) Tina

josepmarin (59385) 2007-02-12 15:36

Hi Attila,
These houses so curious and painted artistically, the gray granary, in this so peculiar architecture, and the presence of the woman who gives us a good reference and a touch of life, they form a great composition and it is a good graphical document of the life in this country.
Great work.
Regards,
Josep

Vato_Law (12732) 2007-02-12 17:47

Hello Attila,
Another great documentary shot presenting us this ethnic group, their way of living, their homes and their daily life.
What I like on your work is that you keep on discovering remote ethnic groups, tribes and bringing them to us always with very interesting notes along with them.
Your work is one of the best fitting in this site's spirit.
Cheers.
Paulo

AiresSantos (56155) 2007-02-13 3:06

Hi Attila,
Excellent documentary photograph with great details about the daily life at Burkina Faso. Very good colours and sharpness. I like how you managed the light.
TFS and greetings
Aires

John_F_Kennedy (43797) 2007-02-13 6:07

Your photo says much about the culture of the people. Excellent composition under the sunny lights. Well seen.
Achim

leo61 (0) 2007-02-13 15:39

Hi Attila!
First of all;I like your new intro photo....
and this well composed image.Very intersting architecture and nice paintings at the house.The man in his relaxed pose seems a bit shy ,but proud to get photographed at the same time.Good work.
Regards,Leo

MIG13 (0) 2007-02-13 16:37

Hi, Attila! Another nice composition from your African Experience! An original architecture, in great warm colours. TFS! Best regards! Miguel.

Gustaw (21670) 2007-02-13 17:02

Hi, my friend!
Very interesting series from Africa. It is very interesting view and interesting architecture. I like your warm colours. Good composition. It is profesional photo.
Marek

Wanda1 (15142) 2007-02-13 22:34

Hi Attila,
An interesting shot, I love the patterns on the house, and its great that you got the person casually leaning on the wall. Great composition including the grainery. Well done!
Regards
Wanda

vinicio (23423) 2007-02-14 2:46

La fantasia al potere :)
Bella foto Attila, complimenti, ottima qualità e composizione, e complimenti anche all'artista che ha dipinto le mura. Posto molto bello e interessante, bravo.
Buona giornata
Ciao
Vinicio

Graal (103040) 2007-02-14 2:55

Jó napot Attila,
unusual place, interesting reportage and note. I like the composition with the lonely of model by house. Well done.
Gr., Aleksander

Angshu (56760) 2007-02-14 4:10

Hi Attila
Again a picture of great interest as you show us places quite unknown photographically at least to me. Interesting shapes of the clay houses with the drawings on the walls very beautiful...you've handled the harsh light well here. We discover new lands & new places through your photographs..thanks for that
Best Regards
Angshu

Fis2 (155762) 2007-02-14 6:03

Witaj Attila!
Very curious place. I like the frame and colors. Very impressive picture. Good work.
Regards
Krzysztof

sufi (9588) 2007-02-14 7:03

Merhaba Attila, my friend...
Another interesting place and beautiful composition... The figuration on the wall, the tones of the pastel and the light are perfect... The woman's smile is beautiful too...
TFS...
Stay well..
Salim.

coco (30439) 2007-02-14 8:35

Hi Attila.

May be not the best light for the photo but a very enjoyable pciture about their daily life.

Regards.

john_c (24666) 2007-02-14 10:53

Hi Attila,
Your perspective is well chosen, though of course it would have been preferable for the top of the tree to be included - but that is not always possible. I like the way the large structure on the right, the granary, anchors the frame. The hues and tones blend well, the person standing there warming the scene. A fascinating shot, well composed. This is a little known region for many of us and you are really educating us accordingly...later.
John

Scharan (14144) 2007-02-14 13:00

Olá Attila
Outra interessante foto...muito bonita, ótimas cores e textura. Oportuna a presença humana e num lugar estratégico. Um trabalho muito bom, parabéns!
Grande abraço,
Vera.

t0mmm1 (5442) 2007-02-14 14:11

Ciao Attila,
scusa perche' non mi sono fatto vivo prima, ma lo sai che i soldi non bastano mai e percio' bisogna sempre lavorare ;(((( Male o bene... pero' sembra che diventa sempre piu' lusso avere un lavoro anche qua da noi, che nei "ex" tempi era il dovere dello stato a trovartene uno... ... ma vedi che realta' diverse viviamo con questa gente da tua foto... incredibile! Voglio farmi la casa - prendo un po' di fango, voglio... non so, non ho nemmeno idea di come vivono li. Se hanno bisogno di qualcosa, oppure hanno tutto. Ma non sembra che si tratti di quell'Africa che ci mostrano su TV... gente che muore di fame, i bambini a fin di morte... No, qua mi sembra tutto bello e positivo e anche tranquillo... che in questi tempi non guasta mai ;))
Ciao e ci vediamo in giro,
Tomi

syd1946 (1167) 2007-02-14 14:31

Hi Attila,
So interesting,so strange house!But it is not anly this.You captured here a fine daily life scene,for a moment I think I am whatcing a documantery film.Excellent work my friend,nice presentation!
Best wishes,
Thomas

ahmetgedikli (25609) 2007-02-14 18:02

Hi Attila,
An interesting house... The composition, colors and the details are beautiful. I like it. Well done.
Best regards,
Ahmet

parbo (11092) 2007-02-14 20:02

Hi Attila,

Wonderful ornaments on adobe façade and architecture are dazzling my eyes. But I’m afraid about difficult life conditions there because water and food storage must be big problem. It seems there is no balance between dry and rainy season. This is an excellent scene full with your style. Congratulations.

Friendly Regards,

Ertugrul

dorte_s_t (2287) 2007-02-15 7:34

Hi , Attila .
very interesting photo with a lot of exciting details very well supported by your note !
Fascinating to see how differently people live in other parts of the world !
greetings
Dorte.

cunejo200 (7281) 2007-02-15 8:42

Hi Attila,
Very fascinating depiction of Gurunsi culture. The house design looks like it's tattooed, the woman standing adds layer, and of course this is wonderfully presented. Greetings! Danilo

Emile (20352) 2007-02-15 10:09

Hola Attila.
Very good daily life shot with an excellent composition, your POV is good and you shows the way the Gurunsi people lives. Great colors and sharpness.
Well done. TFS.

maximage (15537) 2007-02-15 12:17

Bonsoir Attila,
Un endroit complètement inconnu.
Construction impressionnante avec des décorations et peintures tout à fait exceptionnelles.
Très belle image instructive, avec une note intéressante.
Amitiés.
max

siolaw (38294) 2007-02-15 17:19

Hello Attila,
A fine daily life scene, very exotic, for most people, interesting architecture, great colors, light and sharpness, excellent framing.
Good docu shot
Laurent

m_s_s (1691) 2007-02-16 7:28

HEllo Attila,
interesting colors and good composition.
i know how difficult is to take photos in africa...
regards

albertopiubello (2623) 2007-02-16 13:27

Ciao Attila,
le tue foto africane sono le migliori che ho visto su TE: ognuna è un vero reportage sulle bellezze nascoste di questo continente.
Qui l'architettura particolare si mescola con la freschezza del sorriso della ragazza.
Davvero bella.
Alberto

chrisnet (23062) 2007-02-16 13:38

Hello Atus,
Very interesting view very typical of Africa, well composed and seen, I like the framing and the good exposure. Good work, well done!
Best regards
Christian

flory (4848) 2007-02-17 0:34

szia dear Attila,
absolutely amazing life of the gurunsi people..interesting those colourful geometric on the walls/you managed good the light..I'm looking and looking,know that is really,but what a discrepancy between ours world and this one..
good we,
flory

tigra (2968) 2007-02-17 1:06

Hello Attila
Nice capture! Excellent sharpness and colors, so that the patterns are visible.
Katia

pablominto (53746) 2007-02-17 2:36

Hello Attila,
An interesting documentary!
Well composed image, wise to include human interest...
Good strong colours and fine details!
Greetings,
Pablo -
...

jhm (203133) 2007-02-17 3:56

Hi Attila,

I've something learned today, through your picture, a very lovely reality picture, you did very well with addition the lady beside the hut. Excellent composition too! TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

papagolf21 (152601) 2007-02-17 4:08

Bonjour, mon ami Attila,
Voilà une photographie encore très intéressante et qui ne ne peut laisser indifférent le lecteur. Une image fort bien réalisée et digne d'un grand intérêt.
Un grand merci Attila, pour le partage.
Amitiés.
Philippe

eleparc (24063) 2007-06-05 5:51

Hello attila,

glad to see some shots from the Naouri region and the gurunsi tribes.. I have a whole series of this place now on line if you wish! nice shot and good note!

Eric

cfreire (11741) 2007-09-25 18:30

Hi, Attila.
It's a very impressive shot! So, I've never seen nothing is like it. I've appreciated the house's architectural details, and I'm sure that each detail has a specif meaning. Great capture, and you've worked well about it. Regards, Consuelo

nikosrio (1158) 2008-04-21 10:39

Excellent photo with great colors and good compsition.Also interesting note.
Regards
Nikos.

zahoor_salmi (1053) 2008-10-03 21:15

Beautiful decorated house and the positionimg of the posing lady next to the impressive riock is a good finesher,

Photo Information

Copyright: Attila Szili (atus) (15878)
Genre: Persone
Medium: Colore
Date Taken: 2007-01-25
Categories: Vita quotidiana, Architettura
Camera: Nikon D70, Nikkor 18-70mm 1:3.5-4.5G ED DX, Hoya Super HMC PRO1 67mm Sky
Esposizione: f/8, 1/800 secondi
More Photo Info: view
Versione Foto: Versione Originale
Date Submitted: 2007-02-12 3:57
Preferiti: 1 [vista]