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Road trip from Bamako to Timbuctu: the scene of drought, malnourishment, food-distribution and nomad Tamacheck refugees

Road to Timbuctu | Mali 1986

Road trip from Bamako to Timbuctu: the scene of drought, malnourishment, food-distribution and nomad Tamacheck refugees
In 1987 Afghanistan was occupied by the Russian army. Except for the Pansjir-valley and Badakshan province in the Northeast of the country. Those two areas in the Hindukush mountains were under authority of the Afghan liberation movement Jamiat-i-Islami led by commander Massoud. The two provinces are very mountainous and inaccessible for mechanized transport. Roads in the rest of the country could be used, though controlled by Russian aircraft.

Road to Badakshan | Afghanistan 1987

In 1987 Afghanistan was occupied by the Russian army. Except for the Pansjir-valley and Badakshan province in the Northeast of the country. Those two areas in the Hindukush mountains were under authority of the Afghan liberation movement Jamiat-i-Islami led by commander Massoud. The two provinces are very mountainous and inaccessible for mechanized transport. Roads in the rest of the country could be used, though controlled by Russian aircraft.
Around the city of Mbuji-Mayi in Kasaï-Oriëntal province thousands are slaving away the soil in artisanal exploited diamond mines. Diamond winning is taking place either under open skies or deep down under the surface of the earth. The diamonds are sold to diamond cutters in Surat, India and sold in Antwerp, Belgium.

Diamond | Diamond mining in Zaïre 1988

Around the city of Mbuji-Mayi in Kasaï-Oriëntal province thousands are slaving away the soil in artisanal exploited diamond mines. Diamond winning is taking place either under open skies or deep down under the surface of the earth. The diamonds are sold to diamond cutters in Surat, India and sold in Antwerp, Belgium.
Photographic scenes from people in Southern Europe, India, Africa and Dominican Republic

Travel 1980-1990 | Travelling Southern Europe, India, Africa and Dominican Republic

Photographic scenes from people in Southern Europe, India, Africa and Dominican Republic
Ambiance d'Afrique shows the passion of Africans, young and old, expressing itself in singing, dancing and partying in all spheres of live: street life, ceremonies, funerals, churches and bars

Ambiance d'Afrique | Song & Dance in Africa 1986-1996

Ambiance d'Afrique shows the passion of Africans, young and old, expressing itself in singing, dancing and partying in all spheres of live: street life, ceremonies, funerals, churches and bars
Skûtsjesilen: a traditional sailing competition with former flat bottom barges, so-called tjalken, in the northern Dutch province Friesland. In the competition of 1996 skipper Ulbe Zwaga, descent of the famous ancient Frisian skipper family Zwaga, and his crew did sail the Ljouwerter skûtsje to second place in the SKS-championship overall.

Skûtsesilen | Friesland, The Netherlands 1996

Skûtsjesilen: a traditional sailing competition with former flat bottom barges, so-called tjalken, in the northern Dutch province Friesland. In the competition of 1996 skipper Ulbe Zwaga, descent of the famous ancient Frisian skipper family Zwaga, and his crew did sail the Ljouwerter skûtsje to second place in the SKS-championship overall.
Many small cocoa farmers in Ghana's Ashanti region are associated with Kuapa Kokoo, a coöperative working under fair-trade conditions. Shipped to The Netherlands, the cocoa beans are used as raw material for the production of chocolate products in Dutch factories and sold as fair-trade articles.

Kuapa Kokoo | Cocoa trade between Ghana - The Netherlands 1997

Many small cocoa farmers in Ghana's Ashanti region are associated with Kuapa Kokoo, a coöperative working under fair-trade conditions. Shipped to The Netherlands, the cocoa beans are used as raw material for the production of chocolate products in Dutch factories and sold as fair-trade articles.
The weekly market for second-hand cars at the Veemarkt in Utrecht is renowned all over West-Africa. Cars, rejected in The Netherlands are welcomed in Cotonou, capitol of Bénin. Smartened up they dominate Cotonou's car fleet, polluting the environment all the while, till their very end at the junk yard.

Cars | Second-hand cars from The Netherlands to Benin 1999

The weekly market for second-hand cars at the Veemarkt in Utrecht is renowned all over West-Africa. Cars, rejected in The Netherlands are welcomed in Cotonou, capitol of Bénin. Smartened up they dominate Cotonou's car fleet, polluting the environment all the while, till their very end at the junk yard.
Photographic scenes of people in Africa, Asia and Las Vegas, USA

Travel 1990-2000 | Travelling Africa, Asia and Las Vegas, USA

Photographic scenes of people in Africa, Asia and Las Vegas, USA
Dutch flower-growers moved their production massively to low-cost African countries like Kenya. The flowers are transported overnight with cargo Boeings 747 from Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi to Schiphol and sold the next day at flower auctions in Aalsmeer and Naaldwijk, The Netherlands.

Flowers | Flowers from Kenya to The Netherlands 2000

Dutch flower-growers moved their production massively to low-cost African countries like Kenya. The flowers are transported overnight with cargo Boeings 747 from Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi to Schiphol and sold the next day at flower auctions in Aalsmeer and Naaldwijk, The Netherlands.
According to government estimates between 100.000 and 500.000 illegal miners in Peru are working in small-scale gold mining in mineral rich mountain areas in the Andes. Digging a mineshaft with explosives and using large amounts of mercury to extract the precious metal from the gold-containing stones, their work is grueling and unsafe.

Gold | Gold mining in Peru 2003

According to government estimates between 100.000 and 500.000 illegal miners in Peru are working in small-scale gold mining in mineral rich mountain areas in the Andes. Digging a mineshaft with explosives and using large amounts of mercury to extract the precious metal from the gold-containing stones, their work is grueling and unsafe.
At volcano-rich Java, Kawah Ijen distinguishes itself from other volcanoes by a crater lake with an extremely high acid-level. Constant rising sulphur fumes are melted and guided outside by pipelines. Consolidated as yellow substance, porters are hauling the sulphur-containing chunks up the rim of the crater and from there downwards off the volcano to a weigh station. Making two trips a day this exhausting and unwholesome work yields a porter a poor income.

Kawah Ijen | Sulphur winning in a vulcano crater lake at Java, Indonesia, 2004

At volcano-rich Java, Kawah Ijen distinguishes itself from other volcanoes by a crater lake with an extremely high acid-level. Constant rising sulphur fumes are melted and guided outside by pipelines. Consolidated as yellow substance, porters are hauling the sulphur-containing chunks up the rim of the crater and from there downwards off the volcano to a weigh station. Making two trips a day this exhausting and unwholesome work yields a porter a poor income.
Sirama, at Nosy Be, is the only sugar mill in Madagascar still fueled by wood and pulp, and employer of several thousand of factory labourers and seasonal cane cutters. As a consequence of out-of-date machinery and falling prices on the world market, Sirama is struggling to continue it's production of sugar. According to national economic plans there is only a future for Sirama as producer of the world-famous Dzamandzar rhum.

Sirama | The end of sugar refinery at Nosy Be, Madagascar, 2005

Sirama, at Nosy Be, is the only sugar mill in Madagascar still fueled by wood and pulp, and employer of several thousand of factory labourers and seasonal cane cutters. As a consequence of out-of-date machinery and falling prices on the world market, Sirama is struggling to continue it's production of sugar. According to national economic plans there is only a future for Sirama as producer of the world-famous Dzamandzar rhum.
Along the shore at Ambondrona, Nosy Be, families not finding any other means of survival, are making a living by crushing and selling stones. Pieces of stone cut from the seaside rocks are transported to the tiny hamlets of these so-called

Stone Age | Cutting and crushing stones at Nosy Be, Madagascar, 2006

Along the shore at Ambondrona, Nosy Be, families not finding any other means of survival, are making a living by crushing and selling stones. Pieces of stone cut from the seaside rocks are transported to the tiny hamlets of these so-called "caisseurs". Crushed to small pieces the stones are sold to local traders and cement industries, giving just enough income to survive.
Brazil is the world's greatest producer of sugar. Enormous areas are covered with industrialized sugar cane growing and huge sugar factories. Usina Catende is the exception. It is organized as a small sugar coöperative based on solidarity of sugarcane growers and factory workers, with respect for the local environment. Demonstrations, meetings and discussions are part of their struggle to survive

Usina Catende | A coöperative sugar enterprise in Pernambuco, Brazil 2007

Brazil is the world's greatest producer of sugar. Enormous areas are covered with industrialized sugar cane growing and huge sugar factories. Usina Catende is the exception. It is organized as a small sugar coöperative based on solidarity of sugarcane growers and factory workers, with respect for the local environment. Demonstrations, meetings and discussions are part of their struggle to survive
In Madagascar rice is staple food. Even so, in the highlands agricultural conditions for potato growing are favorable. The main problem facing cultivators is the presence of crop diseases due to poor stock and lack of fertilizer. The Netherlands have a reputation as potato growers. In Fifam,anor, a research center for seed potato propagation in Antsirabe, Dutch potato seed trading houses and the Malgache government are coöperating to improve potato cultivation.

Potatoes | Potato growing in Madagascar 2008

In Madagascar rice is staple food. Even so, in the highlands agricultural conditions for potato growing are favorable. The main problem facing cultivators is the presence of crop diseases due to poor stock and lack of fertilizer. The Netherlands have a reputation as potato growers. In Fifam,anor, a research center for seed potato propagation in Antsirabe, Dutch potato seed trading houses and the Malgache government are coöperating to improve potato cultivation.
Famadihana is a family tradition to rebury the dead ancestors, unique for Madagascar. Ideally every decade the family is gathering around the ancestral tomb, to enfold whatever is left of the dead in new linen. Although a little solemn, Famadihana is foremost a festivity of food, drinks, dance and music to strengthen family ties. Roanelly family in Faratsiho is keeping up with the tradition.

Famadihana | Reburying the ancestors, Madagascar, 2009

Famadihana is a family tradition to rebury the dead ancestors, unique for Madagascar. Ideally every decade the family is gathering around the ancestral tomb, to enfold whatever is left of the dead in new linen. Although a little solemn, Famadihana is foremost a festivity of food, drinks, dance and music to strengthen family ties. Roanelly family in Faratsiho is keeping up with the tradition.
Photographic scenes of people in Europe, Africa, Asia & Latin America

Travel 2000-2010 | Travelling Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America

Photographic scenes of people in Europe, Africa, Asia & Latin America
Illiteracy and a large quantity of citizens without birth certificates are hindering democracy in less developed countries like Madagascar. Candidates distributing free t-shirts and backed by the most popular singers are likely to win the popular vote.

Elections | Illiteracy and democracy, Madagascar 2013

Illiteracy and a large quantity of citizens without birth certificates are hindering democracy in less developed countries like Madagascar. Candidates distributing free t-shirts and backed by the most popular singers are likely to win the popular vote.
On the Mozambique Channel small commercial shipping is still done by non-motorized vessels making use of prevailing winds, the so-called trade winds. M. Nama living on mainland Madagascar is selling his bananas that way at nearby Nosy Be, profiting of much higher prices on this touristic island. Leaving early morning southern wind Varatzaza is blowing him in a few hours to Nosy Be, returning afternoon with northern wind Talio in the back.

Trade Winds | Transport of bananas on the Mozambique Channel, Madagascar 2015

On the Mozambique Channel small commercial shipping is still done by non-motorized vessels making use of prevailing winds, the so-called trade winds. M. Nama living on mainland Madagascar is selling his bananas that way at nearby Nosy Be, profiting of much higher prices on this touristic island. Leaving early morning southern wind Varatzaza is blowing him in a few hours to Nosy Be, returning afternoon with northern wind Talio in the back.
In hardly industrialized countries like Madagascar charcoal is an important source of energy for food preparation. Charcoal is produced by char-pit method, carbonizing wood. Environmental damage is inevitable as deforestation and erosion are the result of intensive logging.

Charcoal | Logging and fuel in Madagascar 2016

In hardly industrialized countries like Madagascar charcoal is an important source of energy for food preparation. Charcoal is produced by char-pit method, carbonizing wood. Environmental damage is inevitable as deforestation and erosion are the result of intensive logging.
You won't find Amboromalandy on any map of Madagascar as it is officially known as Ankazamborana. Yet the place has a reputation as weekly market for meat and poultry, well-fed by the proximity of the nutritional rizières around Lake Amboromalandy, It's situated along the RN4, connecting capital Antananarivo and port city Mahajenga, where traders can easily sell their commerce twice the price.

Amboromalandy | A weekly market for meat and poultry 2018

You won't find Amboromalandy on any map of Madagascar as it is officially known as Ankazamborana. Yet the place has a reputation as weekly market for meat and poultry, well-fed by the proximity of the nutritional rizières around Lake Amboromalandy, It's situated along the RN4, connecting capital Antananarivo and port city Mahajenga, where traders can easily sell their commerce twice the price.
Photographic scenes travelling Madagascar and The Netherlands

Travel 2010-2020 | Travelling Madagascar and The Netherlands

Photographic scenes travelling Madagascar and The Netherlands