The Boys are Smiling

A Photograph by Evans Ahorsu

Five boys crouch over an area of land. They are defeathering a chicken. Their lips open in proportion to the spread of their respective smiles. The boys on the flanks maintain a sure-handed hold on the bird’s limbs. The one in the middle, smallest in body size, wears a hallmark of childhood in his  missing front teeth. Their collective bearing is sure, suggesting that the group knows its way about the business at hand. Specks of feather hover about the centre of the incomplete oval they have formed—like a spray of confetti launched in celebration of a coming feast.

— moshood

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“I often see myself in the moments that I encounter.”

I took the picture in Kumbungu, in the Northern Region of Ghana. I was on assignment for an organisation in the town when I came across these kids. I asked them for a photo, but I didn't take it right away. I said I'd be back, wanting to capture them in their natural setting. I returned after 30 minutes and saw them occupied as shown. I took the shot, aiming to freeze a genuine, everyday moment in their lives. The scene reminded me of my own childhood. I used to have similar moments with friends. But we never took pictures; just memories in our minds. Working with NGOs in rural areas, I often see myself in the moments that I encounter.

Photography serves as a powerful tool for change. Historically, our stories have often been misrepresented because they weren't told by us. Through photography, we have the means to narrate our own stories authentically, dispel misconceptions and alter stereotypes. This empowers us to showcase our true identity, providing a visual medium to counteract the distortions of the past. In essence, photography becomes a means of reclaiming our narratives and presenting an accurate portrayal of who we are.

— Evans Ahorsu.

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About Evans Ahorsu

Born on March 31, 1991 in Fodome Xelu to Ghanaian parents, Evans Ahorsu is a photographer and visual artist.  Evans completed his visual art studies at Kpando Secondary School and further honed his skills in graphic and web design at the IPMC College of Technology. He channels his wide-ranging curiosity through travel, with a focus on culture, art, and religion. He currently resides in Bolgatanga. See more of his work on Instagram.LASR

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LAST WEEK — “Displaced” by Daniel Buuma

I chose this photograph because it captures a scene that is sadly all too familiar to me. Having grown up in the region, I have witnessed the ongoing conflict and displacement that has plagued the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The image of displaced people fleeing from their homes, juxtaposed with the presence of peace-keeping forces, encapsulates the enduring struggle and the complex dynamics at play in the region.

Read more.

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This is the 107th edition of this publication, edited by moshood, one of our editorial fellows. The newsletter also read on web (best for viewing images), and via the Substack iOS/Android apps.

TENDER PHOTO is a newsletter on African photography. Every Wednesday we feature a photograph and a short caption about it, and include a statement from the photographer. Last year, we published commentaries or photo-essays in response to photographs previously featured on the newsletter, including CORRESPONDENCES, CONCORDANCE, KINDRED, and INDEX. The next series will run from March 1–April 26.

Our goal is to work with African photographers by creating a platform in which they lead the cataloguing and engagement with their work.

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