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Henri � In the anthropologist business, there are
less than fifteen women all over the world. Today,
our guest divides one's time between two occupa-
tions, anthropology and photography. When we as-
ked her, she agreed to answer our questions without
double talking. Can you first introduce yourself to
the readers of the mag?
Alegra Ally � My name is Alegra Ally, A documen-
tary photographer and explorer currently living in Mel-
bourne, Australia.
I am a fellow of the Explorers club in NYC and am com-
pleting my Masters degree in Anthropology in Austra-
lia.
My work focuses on documenting ways of life in remote
tribal communities around the world as a celebration of
culture diversity and most importantly in preserving indigenous cultures who are being disappeared from this world. I hope that, through
my projects and photography, I could increase awareness of the beauty and diversity of tribal cultures, as well as the very real threats to
their way of life.
I first travelled solo to Papua New Guinea in 1997, at the age of 17, where I spent months living with isolated tribes. I crossed the Sepik Ri-
ver by canoe, trekked the Kokoda Trail and became initiated into one of the Sepik tribes. My journey was followed by a book “Touching
Genesis”, describing my travels.
A group of Himba women and Alegra Ally carrying babies at Epupa falls, Namibia.
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In the last four years, I've been working extensively on a project called “Wild Born”. Through film, photos and writing, this project docu-
ments the ancient traditions and taboos surrounding childbirth amongst remote tribal women.
My other passion, the ocean has led me and my husband to establish Apnea Australia- a Freediving school and whale swim business in the
Kingdom of Tonga where we swim with Humpbacks and practice yoga for three months each year.
Squal � You followed film studies in your native country, Israel. Is that time you took a liking for photography? Or will it come
much later?
Alegra Ally � I always wanted to make documentary films and was fascinated by the history of film and wanted to learn the skills of
filmmaking. I was interested in photography as much as I was in film. But at that time I wanted to learn film and then go to south Africa whe-
re I lived before and pursue a wildlife filmmaking career and combine it with conservation work in national parks. all I basically wanted
was to wake up to the roar of the lions and fall asleep to the sounds of the savannah, to see small and breathe the natural African wilder-
ness. when I was younger, I loved to experiment in different things and to try as many fields that interested me. Now I feel more focused in
my work but I am still stretching boundaries and is doing things sometimes “the hard way”. I feel as if the stories that I want to tell are now
in the stage of being told in images together with still images. But in the future I definitely see myself more and more into documentary
filmmaking.
Squal � Your life is made of journeys: South Africa for a project on conservation of the environment, Melbourne in Australia
where you settle down; you also pass two months a year in Tonga, a state of the Polynesia where you practise your passion, the
snorkelling with humpback whales... For you, life without moving, without journey, without the possibility of discovering other
cultures, would it have any justification?
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Two Himba women with a baby carrier on their backs looking at the horizon on top of a high cliff overlooking the Epupa river, on the border with
Angola, Namibia.
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Alegra Ally � Life is too diverse and colorful to stay in one place.
There are so many interesting things to learn I believe that life experien-
ce adds so much depth and learning to life and helps view the world glo-
bally with a fresh perspective each time. Travelling builds creativity and
a better understanding of the world. It exposes you to many lifestyles,
cultures and ways of thinking. This constant process of change is a great
learning experience, and when you learn, you become smarter. Curiosity
is another major motive- it is the origin of most of the major break-
throughs in our world.
Henri � How did you perform and conduct researches for prepara-
tion of explorations you made?
Alegra Ally � Planning is usually a very complicated part of the jour-
ney but at the same time it is very exciting. I can do a very limited re-
search prior to the expeditions because I choose very remote or unex-
plored locations to do my research. The tribes that I am visiting are rare-
ly visited and there are no clear tracks or information about them. I will
collect as much information online and from books. I study a lot of maps
and choose areas and tribes that interest me and once I have their ap-
proximate location I start planning the trip: Where would I land, ways of
Tau’t Bato-people of the rock. Singapan valley- south Palawan, Philippines. Sin-
gapan cave is used by the Tau’t Bato as shelter during the wet months. They also
hunt birds and bats at the entrance to the cave by using special traps. In this
photo two Tau’t Bato light bamboo lanterns in preparation to enter the cave.
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transportation- walking, canoeing, driving etc… I do the most important part of my research on location, once I arrive at the place. The
best way for me to gather information and sometimes most important information that would be hidden from the “outside world” is
through talking to locals. I spend a long time with the local people, make friends and build trustful relationships and in the process gather
information. I usually find my guides and translators this way- I usually use family members or friends of people that I connect with along
the way. It is the best way for me as after building a good relationship with them I know I can trust them and that they will do anything they
can to help. Finding the right guide can take time and so my trips are usually long.
Conducting research and planning for “wild Born” project is even more complicated because there is no way for me of knowing if I would
find a pregnant woman and if I find one - that she will be on her last few weeks before labour. Furthermore, there is very little known about
how births take place within tribes that inhabit remote parts of the world. I lived with various tribes in Papua New Guinea, spending about
a month with each one. Timing was the most challenging part of the expedition because I had no way of knowing when a woman would be
pregnant in any given tribe. If I arrived at a tribe and found no pregnant women, I often continued trekking onward to a different tribe.
Other times, I chose to stay and instead spend time with new moms and midwives, trying to learn as much as I could about the pregnancy
and birth process.
Henri � Did they come along with outside financial supports or do you pay on your own money all of your stays?
Alegra Ally � When I started “Wild Born” nobody knew about it apart from a few close friends and family, later I’ve was sponsored by
a camera gear supplier but mostly it is a self financed project. I am now beginning to expose more and more of my work and the feedback
I received for it so far is great. I’ve been offered a few grants and now are looking at the options of collaboration. This project will also be a
part of my thesis for a Masters in Anthropology that I am currently undertaking.
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A beautiful Himba woman near Epupa falls at sunset, Namibia.
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Squal � Humanly, how do you manage the "expedition-exploration" you set up? Doctor, interpreter, ethnologist, technician…
whom do you surround yourself?
Alegra Ally � Very similar to the last question… (Laughs)
I do as much research as I can through reading and internet, but in my case information is often very limited on the web. Usually what hap-
pens is that I arrive at the location, stop in a nearby town or village and start talking with the local people, trying to gather information, I
would stay with a family for a few days create a bond
and request them to help me find the most trustfull, re-
liable person to work with. A good guide can be hard
to find as they need to also be an interpreter. Someti-
mes that is not as simple because the small remote
communities that I am looking for for use different dia-
lects from the town’s people. So what happens is that I
often start with one interpreter and then find one more
interpreter that is used as a direct link to the village
people. The same happens with guides- I choose one
guide and pick more along the way one to lead me
from town to more remote locations and from the remo-
te location find local person and he joins us to locate
more isolated people. Then I use the help of the guide
and interpreter to find Porters. We sit with maps and
conduct final preparations, buy food and supplies for
Tau’t Bato – people of the rock. Singapan valley, south Palawan, Philippines. Singapan cave is used by the
Tau’t Bato as shelter during the wet months. As the cave gets flooded in strong rain, the Tau’t Bato construc-
ted platforms high above the cave floor.
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the whole team. With each expedition the logistics is different- in Papua, on the search for the nomads I’ve collected a crew of about 12
people along the way and we had to buy fuel for the use of the motor canoe. I also like to get food for the community which I am planning
on visiting. And then most of the work I do on my own, photography, etc. I bring a Sat phone, first aid and spare gear with me.
Squal � According to my knowledge, it is in 1997 the first time when you make one's way to PNG. This trip is going to change
your life. Can you explain the circumstances of the journey? What led you to choose PNG as a field of study?
Alegra Ally � My interest developed to early discoveries and exploration. The thing that attracted me to that subject was the image of
the first contact between white men and indigenous people. What was it like for explorers to discover a new land for the first time in a time
when the face of the earth and nature were pure and unspoiled? I was day-dreaming and imagining how would that look like, I wanted to
be in those far away countries, meet and live with those people..
I began researching early exploration and explorers around the Congo. While reading about livingstone and stanley I developed the de-
sire to make a documentary film that would walk in their footsteps and it also made me want to cross the Congo myself. I started planning
an expedition to the Congo, writing details, looking at maps and even met a producer who was interested in making this documentary
about walking the Congo basin while discovering the natural beauty and wilderness of the place
Later on I heard about an explorer named Mike Fay who did just that… followed a Brazilian explorer named Sidney Ferreira Possuelo and
in the early 90’ I started weaving a plan to fly to the Amazon and work with him, stay in the jungle and interact with the Indians…
At around the age of 15 I was looking for more extraordinary places followed by the mantra’ the most unknown place on earth’ when I
found a few sentences with a small picture in an encyclopedia book about a country called Papua New Guinea. I remember what was writ-
ten very clearly because from that moment my life was not the same.
It said: “Papua New Guinea, the last place on earth to be discovered by Europeans. Tarzan would have loved this country”.
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Tau’t Bato – people of the rock. Singapan valley- south Palawan, Philippines. A Tau’t Bato family in their cave which is located on top of a moun-
tain overlooking the valley. This family rotates between three small caves during the wet season to an open house in the valley when the rain
stops. They have built a bamboo ladder to help them climb the mountainside to get to the cave.
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I was captivated and knew I found the place I will make
my first discovery in.
At the age of 17 I made a decision to travel to papua
new guinea. At that time there was not much informa-
tion about the country and internet was not readily ac-
cessible. I was naively confident in making this journey
with the little information I had and with no detailed
maps. I knew I wanted to cross the sepik river- 1,260
km long and compared to the Amazon, considerate one
of the most unexplored areas with traditional tribes.
The sepik is famous for its fascinating shamanic society
and body masks that were used in ceremonies but also
for haus tambaran, or spirit house, with rumours of hu-
man skulls and head hunting. Eventually my parents
agreed to support me, with little knowledge about the
country and knowing that I will be in remote locations
with no ability to communicate. To this day, I still talk to my family about it and haven’t decided if they were as naive as I was.
The first time I landed in Port Moresby I was in a bit of a shock, and I believe the locals were as shocked to see me as I was a young girl-
traveling on my own.
I stayed in a guesthouse for one night and apart for myself there were a group of american anthropologists. we all sat together around the
dinner table and they all looked at me with great curiosity. I was shy but then one of the woman in the group started asking me questions:
are you here by yourself..? where are you from..?
A Meakambut woman with her child at the Arafundi river, Papua New Guinea.
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One of the guys asked - “What made you come to PNG and all by yourself?” The answer that came straight into my mouth was: “Well, becau-
se it’s the most unknown place on earth”
There was silence… and then we were all laughing, and he said ”Yes, it is, thats a good enough reason, I guess this is the same reason why
we are all here…”
Squal � Without revealing your age - it's not well done when we question a lady (laughter) - you are very young, and you already
have a life of “old fighter” : explorer organizing expeditions and long term plans in remote locations, and thereby dangerous ...
What are the major events that made you follow this path of adventure rather than comfort and safety one ?
Alegra Ally � I have wanted to be an adventurer for as long as I can remember. It was when I was around 11 years old that I became
captivated by adventurer films such as Gorillas in the mist and also from real people’s life and stories such as Juliane Margaret Koepcke. I
was influenced by my father, who loved archaeology and used to take my family to different ruins in the mountains around Jerusalem,
where I grew up. He would take me through the small, narrow alleyways of the Old City, showing me antiques brought from Egypt and
other interesting artifacts.
I was particularly interested in stories of first contact between white men and indigenous people. I wanted to know what it was like to dis-
cover new land for the first time. I wanted to be in those distant countries, meeting and living with tribal people in unspoiled natural envi-
ronments.
I believe that every person has a special journey, the journey is bigger than our own selves. I believe we are all connected and have a hig-
her purpose of connecting. And we all have an important say in it.
Ever since I can remember I had the curiosity in me to explore and discover To me it is a spiritual journey.
I am talking about this force because many occurrences it didn’t make sense- it simply attracted me to do things that I can’t explain any
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A Himba girl from Kaokoland region, Namibia walking to a natural springs with her family donkey. Once they arrived at the oasis both rested in the
shade and leaned on each other with a charming comfort.
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other way. It’s just a calling, something bigger than me that drives me to do that. Nowadays this force is combined with the feeling of res-
ponsibility and a global purpose of helping the planet, its inhabitants and habitats from destruction and disappearance. Today there is a
much greater sense of a mission. I feel that my life experience has led me to realize that in the most powerful way.
Henri � Do you keep in mind anecdotes, images or
discoveries which did not enter within the frame-
work of your documentary? If yes, which one? Can
you share with us a strong memory that will forever
be in you and you lived in contact with these peo-
ple?
Alegra Ally � Every moment spending with tribal
people is special.
Henri � Is the origin of the male / female roles dis-
tribution since prehistoric times - men hunt, women
collecting wild fruits and seeds - accurate in every-
thing that you could live with them?
Alegra Ally � Not necessarily- In the Kosua tribe of
PNG there was a woman that was one of the best hun-
ters in the community. She had two dogs and would go
A young Himba woman holding a baby goat during sunset at a time when they reunite the babies with the
goats so they could feed, Namibia.
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on hunting trips for days, returning with wild pigs for the village. She still fulfilled the role of Mother and worked in the fields when she
was not away hunting.
Although it was apparent in most of the tribes I have visited that women mainly follow the role of the collector, tribe women were much
stronger and would travel for days to collect food – sometimes in groups.
In the Himba Tribe of Namibia I encountered whole villages that were mainly composed of women.
Henri � Your photos show mostly children. Is this because adults are more reserved opposite the outside world?
Alegra Ally � Generally speaking – children are less reserved and more curious. Kids usually play and interact in situations where
adults might find it a bit more difficult due to language barriers. Some of the children in my photos have never seen a white woman so they
have reacted with getting a lot closer. Lastly – children have a lot more free time while the men are at work.
My subject matter for this project mainly revolves around children and mothers so there are less photos of Men.
Squal � In recent years you've worked on many lesser known tribes of Papua, for example Kosua or Meakambut, a semi-
nomadic group who live in caves. These tribes are described by the Gini coefficient as close to 1 (note: Gini coefficient, named after the
Italian statistician Corrado Gini, is a measure of income inequality in a given population coefficient is 0. and 1, where 0 means perfect equality while 1 re-
presents a total inequality. This indicates on the income of a country, the proportion that the income of the study sample). These tribes are poor, but
rich in self- consciousness and culture? Or does the poverty override their life and it becomes even a criterion on which their sur-
vival can depend?
Alegra Ally � This is a very fragile situation. There is a big imbalance due to more interference from the outside world. In the past,
they lived a balanced life and were left alone. The land was rich, the gardens full of fruit and the air was clean. They were not poor- they
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A nine months pregnant Himba woman shepherding her family goats on the hills at Kaokoland region, Namibia.
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lived sustainable lives under the principal of « you only take what you need ».
They don't have the need for accumulating things as nature provides what they
need. If they don't respect this rule- they would not survive. In the past there was
less intervention from the outside world. These days however, there are many
more factors that affect their life quality. First – Climate change affects them by
changing availability of food. It affects all aspects of their lives – water supply is
polluted, some tribes are affected enormously by drought. Stock dies followed by
the people relying on it for survival. They are also more exposed to violence now
– the logging companies take their homes and leave them with no place to go. In
other areas Dams are built and restrict water supply or flood areas that were tra-
ditionally used for livestock or living.
Their beliefs are very strong but capitalism and religious intervention challenges
their culture and customs.
When visiting these tribes I encounter signs of “poverty” but mainly because the
young tribespeople are led to believe that leaving their village and moving to the
city is the right thing to do. Sometimes those tribes will relocate closer to towns,
resulting in a great gap between themselves and the people in the city. This ma-
kes them feel poor.
When they live freely on their land, they are very self-sufficient and have more
than enough food to last them for the whole year. They are great hunters and buil-
ders so in this way they are not poor by the standard definition of the word. A beautiful nine month pregnant Kosua women. Kosua tribe, Bosavi
region, Papua New Guinea.
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Squal � Some of your pictures show everyday objects, like illustrated book on birds. On others, no sign of modernism is visible.
From your point of view, are these objects really useful or even indispensable to them or are they really needless? Being so far
away from all the “amenities” that our life is supposed to provide us, is it a barrier or a protection for these civilizations?
Alegra Ally � First of all, some of the objects you see on my photos are in more developed villages. It is not my place to say whether
they should or should not have them. From what I have seen, having a book or radio does not really make a difference to them. Books and
radios are westerns world’s way of spreading / sharing culture. Those tribes have their own unique culture and their own way of expres-
sing it by ceremonies, storytelling, rituals, gatherings and other communal activities.
When an isolated community lives in a dense jungle environment there is no need for materialistic possessions.
For example : when I visited the Meakambut- a nomadic group, which were only discovered recently, some of them were being encoura-
ged to « settle down » and once they did that they were given modern tools and accessories. Some were useful and made their lives easier
(cooking utensils for example) while others (such as radios) were too alien and created a separation between people that have acted as a
community until now and suddenly have one family with a radio. A communal society became a separated society. This can potentially
cause them to function less effectively as they have always relied on their community for survival.
In Namibia, the Himba tribe live very close to cities and are exposed to “modern” possessions. They sometime venture into cities but still
choose to dress traditionally, give birth in traditional ways and follow their old traditions.
Henri � How do you see the future of such communities: either assimilation, acculturation, survival or revival, growth, renewal?
Is there any hope to see these cultures remain the face of progress?
Alegra Ally � Progress is inevitable. The question should be: “can it be introduced responsibly to those communities and all over the
world or irresponsibly” . Irresponsibly means cutting their forests in order to build structures brick homes or factories. It is not about lea-
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A Himba woman at her house wearing a unique wedding head decoration, Namibia.
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ving them behind, they are not behind as we have so much to learn from them. There is a killing of indigenous people, cutting off their fo-
rests and destructing their habitats. Western society has been going this way not just towards indigenous people but towards all other
species living on our planet. We are on a mission to conquer nature and that leaves us with very sad results. Tribal communities already
suffer from the impact of climate change, globalization global warming and drought. Even small temperature changes are causing crops to
die, decreasing the amount of food available for those tribes.
In Africa the droughts are forcing many people to
travel farther distances leaving their ancestors
lands. A dam in the omo valley, home to more
200,000 indigenous people is about to cause increa-
se in tribal fights, and killing.
Firstly we need to understand that we are all inter-
connected and what happens to tribal people af-
fects us, the environment and wildlife. We are not
just looking at the survival of those communities but
the all living things on the planet, including us, hu-
mans. We need to look at the factors that are cau-
sing increase in climate change; deforestation, pol-
lution, loss of biodiversity, the melting of the polar
cups, the oceanic, dead zones, and the population
explosion.
Tau’t Bato- people of the rock. Singapan valley, south Palawan, Philippines. Taut Bato family welcomes the sun
at the start of a new day. This family spends the wet season in one of their three small caves.
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Squal � As a whole, can your action be assimilated to a testimony and a way to keep track of what happens to these natives peo-
ples?
Alegra Ally � I think that this time is very critical and crucial to some of those communities. Many of them are facing real problems,
mostly from the outside world. Tribal societies are threatened and some are on the verge of extinction. We are witnessing this shift and
deterioration in their lives. This is a crucial time to help conserve and protect their lands and heritage because now we are witnessing
their change in their lives and identity. Tribal people are pushed away from their habitats, some are killed, some are pushed closer to ci-
ties and I hope that my work can help preserve cultural diversity and the many great stories and cultural traditions that those cultures have
to share.
Henri � And now a little dream! Imagine that you discover by chance a totally unknown tribe. What would you tell them ?
Alegra Ally � There is a big difference between an uncontacted tribe and one that has made contact. I can't put myself in a fantasy si-
tuation such as this as I would not want to be in such a place in reality. Through my travels I have actually located uncontacted tribes and
decided not to make contact as I believe it might put them at risk. I believe uncontacted tribes should be left alone. However they should
have some kind of protection from afar.
Squal � Moreover, how do you communicate with the natives (you speak their language; you have an interpreter or universal
sign language)?
Alegra Ally � I usually have one or two interpreters, it depends on the length of the trip and the different location I visit. In a place like
PNG, a country that speaks more than 800 different languages sometimes when you move from one village to the next they speak a diffe-
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Tau’t Bato – people of the rock. Singapan valley- south Palawan, Philippines. During the wet season the Singapan river would flood the area whe-
re the Taut Batu lived, forcing them to find shelter and protection. As the valley is riddled with caves, they started occupying them. The cave is
set up for living- there are bamboo floors that are made for sleeping.
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rent language or dialect. Apart of that I also speak relatively fluent Pidgin, which is the most spoken language in PNG I learned to speak it
while I was living with tribal families at the age of 17 and was easy to pick it up. In some situation like with the Meakambut people in PNG,
even my two translators didn’t speak their language so in this situation I rely on body language, gestures, eye contact and lots of smiling.
In general I found that communicating with rarely contacted tribes the language barrier is not the most limiting factor. They are very
connected with their environment and their ways of life has taught them to ambush different animals to sharpen their senses, their intuition
and instincts which help them a lot in understanding other people without talking rather by feeling and sensing. And they are most of the
time very accurate. The women I spent time with could
really connect with me and understand me when I felt
tired or unhappy etc.. they would identified my fee-
lings and react to them. Also the people I stayed with
were very affectionate and expressed their emotions
by holding my hand, or bringing me presents, inviting
me to be a guest in their house.. Language becomes an
issue when I am trying to research. In the Wild Born
project I realized how the differences in our cultures
are the issue and not the language. The way we think,
translate, understand, perceive and formulate our reali-
ty, situation, surrounding and experiences is so diffe-
rent to tribal people. Also the way we prioritise things.
Our way is not necessarily the better way, not at all. It is
just different to ours. So when I think of something I
want to talk about and I am formulating a question in
my head, they could perceive it completely differently.
Kosua woman holding the feet of her new born baby girl a few days after birth, Bosavi region, Papua New
Guinea.
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Squal � Your first book "Touching Genesis" is a photographic collection on your travels among isolated tribes with rich and
complex cultures. It was published in 2001 after several years of documentation and experience. Can we still get it? Was it publis-
hed in several languages?
Alegra Ally � My Book “Touching Genesis” was published in Israel in 2001 only in Hebrew. It was based on the diary I kept during my
travel to Papua in 1997. It is a journey book not a photography book. I am now in the process of writing my second book this time in En-
glish. It is a non fiction based on my solo travels as a women, my experiences living in tribes. How it is to travel solo to those places as a
women, what are the challenges and advantages of being a solo woman traveler. It will bring stories of tribal women as well. It is a com-
prehensive book summarizing my 17 years of explorations discoveries and experiences. It is about the journey the adventures, the disco-
veries of self and the hidden tribal wisdom- a journey into me.
Squal � Let's talk about the project “Wild Born”. This project documents the traditions and taboos of childbirth in the tribal wo-
man, revealing both beauty and challenge of giving birth in some hostile environments. Can you tell us more precisely about this
documentary film project and photo book?
Alegra Ally � In remote parts of the world, there are women who still give birth in the same way their ancestor mothers did. I wanted
to meet these exceptional women and their elderly midwifes in order to document their innate knowledge of childbirth. I wanted to un-
derstand the ancient wisdom that allows them to adapt, survive and thrive in these extreme conditions. I believe their stories can empower
women around the world.
My goal was to uncover the centuries-old childbirth secrets of women who have never been exposed to modern medicine. I captured the
pregnancy journeys of tribal women across five continents, providing a rare glimpse into how these “natural births” take place in some of
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A Himba family at rest near their house during sunset, Namibia.
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the most hostile environments known to man. I believe we all have insight to
gain from this beautiful and unpredictable process, through which we can come
to understand the wisdom of traditions different than our own.
One of my major goals with this project was to document the stories and tradi-
tions of each tribe. I concentrated my work on pregnant women because this
subject interests me personally. These women are bringing the next generation
into the world at a time when the future of many indigenous tribes is deeply un-
certain. Creating a record of each tribe’s way of life is essential to preserving
the tribe’s culture for the tribes themselves, as well as for the rest of the world.
We know so little about these tribes’ way of life, and if we don’t act now, we may
never have the chance to learn.
The main objectives of the project are firstly cultural survival- the project aims to
help preserve and document their unique culture, traditions.
Second- INSPIRE WOMEN- I hope to share the innate knowledge and wisdom
of pregnant tribal women, as well as raise awareness and funding to empower
women and girls in emerging nations around the world.
The project will result in a book and a documentary film.
The book will combine my personal story and experience as a solo woman tra-
veler along with the stories of tribal women as part of the Wild Born project.
The series will follow tribal “mothers to be” in their last month of pregnancy and
will share their traditions, challenges and the rituals surrounding birth in some
of the most hostile environments known to man. Himba Tribes – Epupa Falls, Kaokoland, Namibia. Himba girl holding a
baby goat, near Epupa falls.
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Squal � From a purely photographic point of view, your images are incredible, pure, natural and honest. How do you manage
shooting with these natives? I guess you do not get out your camera at once.
Alegra Ally � When I arrive at a village the first few days are mainly focused on connecting with the community and bonding. I have a
natural fascination for their way of life and I want to first experience their way of life before I begin my photographic documentation. I ho-
pe this is clearly expressed in my photos - they are not staged or necessarily “Artistic”. It is important for me to convey the “real moments
in the life” of the community.
I don’t see myself only as a photographer so when I stay with the community I don’t always think of the best pictures to take and instead
respect the situation and sometimes choose not to take my camera out at all for a few days.
Squal � What are their reactions when they discover their picture?
Alegra Ally � The most common response to the photos is laughter and wonder - they always want to see themselves as many of them
have never seen themselves before.
Kids usually want to see their photos more than adults.
Squal � Your styles are very close and you are certainly affected by the subjects he treats. What do you think of Jimmy Nelsson's
photographs whom you know well? And can you tell us about other photographers that you particularly affectionate and whose
passion is also the study of populations?
Alegra Ally � Jimmy Nelson is a brilliant photographer but we are very different in the way we work and in our goals. I stay with a
community for long durations and immerse myself in their daily life. I don’t stage the people I stay with and mostly just take shots as they
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A Yimas woman is being prepared for her delivery. Yimas tribe, East Sepik river Papua New Guinea.
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come. When I experience a beautiful moment I grab my camera and capture that moment, my images are more spontaneous, unplanned
which document real life moment/ situation, that’s why technically my pictures are not as perfectly executed and I usually work with natu-
ral light, they are real and authentic. To me this is what documentary is all about capturing real moments in time. And transfer as close as
possible to how these people really look like and how they live.
When documenting tribal people when communication
is very challenging and you are only an observer I
don’t like to interfere with their lives or force them to
do something they are not quite comfortable with, life
there is too dynamic and most of the time there is no
time and it’s really hard to communicate with them so
trying to pose them feels not quite comfortable to me.
Interestingly I was and am more influenced by explo-
rers, conservationists than photographers. Explorers
that influenced me such as Wade Davis have used pho-
tography as a tool to raise awareness to their subjects.
They have used other ways of transmitting their vi-
sions: writing, campaigns and some even created or-
ganisations. Of course I love looking at photographs
but for me the cause of taking the photos is more im-
portant and I like looking at photos that are part of a
bigger project.
Himba woman sitting at the small waterfall at Epupa falls, Namibia.
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Henri � And what about cameras? Film or digital? Solar equipment or … paper ans pencil?
Alegra Ally � I mainly use a Canon DSLR for my land photography. I use a Canon Eos 5D Mk2 with a few lenses- 50mm f1.4 for por-
traits, 24-105 F4 for general photography (it is actually my main lens as it is very versatile and a 70-200 f2.8 for Tele and portraits. I also
have strobes and external lighting.
I have a solar panels to charge my batteries on the field.
For note taking, I usually prefer pen and paper as it is less foreign for the locals and keeps me connected.
Henri � Is it the same that you use under water or is it another type?
Alegra Ally � For Underwater work I use either an Olympus O-MD E-M5 inside a housing with a fisheye lens or a Canon G12 in a hou-
sing with a wide-angle converter.
Henri � Moreover, diving with whales, another fascinating world. Want to tell us about?
Alegra Ally � Spending time swimming with Humpbacks in Tonga is a great passion of mine. We have been doing it for the past 4
years during the migration season between July and October. Tonga (an island kingdom in the pacific) is one of the only places where
swimming with whales is legal. The Whales arrive in Tonga to calve and mate.
Swimming with the whale is amazing as they are very intelligent, vocal and playful. They swim right to us and once eye contact is made
there is a real connection. Photographing the whales is amazing as they are so huge and graceful in the water.
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Henri � Two approaches, two worlds, two sources of inspiration. Are they different or complementary?
Alegra Ally � This is a very interesting question
and I am actually in stages of developing this conver-
sation as part of a research for my new book.
Firstly, yes they are very different but at the same time
there is a connection and they are complementary; I’ll
explain first about the differences, well there are two
different elements, there is the water element and the
earth element. The difference is what balances me.
The softness and the letting go, the dissolving of the
ego and the healing element of being immersed in wa-
ter. The stillness, the depth, the inner connection in its
greatest point. Where in the mountains and in the fo-
rests, there is a sense of grounding, ambition, physical
challenges.
Fundamentally I believe we are all connected, all beings. Both experiences are very powerful and life changing. I believe that both the
whales and indigenous people have an important message to teach us. It is such a humbling experience living with tribal people who are
so connected to their land and the whales who make such an admirable journey cross the oceans to survive and guarantee the continua-
tion and the survival of their species. In that sense both tribal people and whales are vulnerable, innocent and in a way dependent on
“our” help to survive. Both lives are vulnerable, being hunted down, the whales habitat is being polluted and the lands of tribal people is
taken away from them. Their habitats are being exploited by western society. Their Their presence represents the harmonic, self sustai-
Following the whales in Tonga
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Child's tribe Meakambut, Papua New Guinea
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ned way of life that western society lost. Tribal people can’t just be pushed into the big cities, they won’t survive there, it’s not their way of
life. And the whales cannot live anywhere else then the oceans. Staying with tribal people and swimming with humpback whales were the
two most powerful and empowering experiences in my life. I believe those kind of experiences can empower and affect anyone and can
help heal the world and create a change. I’ve seen that change in other people, taking groups to swim with humpbacks in tonga and how
people react to that experience after they leave the water, people burst in tears and lots of emotions surface, it is a life changing experien-
ce to many of the people who came with us. Those experiences can help raise awareness towards indigenous cultures and people the en-
vironment and wildlife.
Squal � Do you have any other project in mind insofar as you're interested in documentation of life of isolated tribal communi-
ties around the world? A specific work elsewhere about the Inuit, Akuntsus or other isolated tribes?
Alegra Ally � As part of project Wild Born I will be visiting at least six more tribes. I have returned from Namibia where I visited the
Himba tribes. The project aims to research those woman in different environments, jungle, desert, arctic, … it will take me to the most ex-
treme weather conditions to see how those women have adopted to give birth in those circumstances. So far I’ve visited three different tri-
bes in the jungle environment and now tribes in the Namibian desert. Next year I am planning to apply for a grant that will help me travel
to more complicated and remote locations such as yamal peninsula in siberia to stay with the tribes I will visit other than the « Wild born »
project.
Squal � Henri and I have been delighted at your interview. We were subdue by this encounter. And I am really happy, when a
few months ago I dared to get in touch with you. When I read all your answers, there is no longer any doubt about holding a dialog
with an Australian (even when I'm not so fluent in english) would be much more easier than speaking to Tau't Bato, Yimas, Mea-
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A Meakambut boy wearing goggles, near Arafundi river, Papua New Guinea.
Henri and Squal
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kambut or Himba (Laughs). We love a lot your kindness
and simplicity. And be sure we still follow close on your
heels and pay great attention to your work and all your
projects which are really quivering. If you agree, I sug-
gest we have an other interview in one year from today,
so that you'll tell us furtherance of them.
I really wish you to obtain successful results and finan-
cial help you need to travel to Siberia. I have a so great
affection for you that I hope all come into force. These
tribes deserve respect. They must be considered as the
last bastions of knowledge and their lifestyle should be
an example for our western societies. We should learn
lessons for our current and future behaviors. Once
again, we really thank you for this wonderful exchange!
If you want to know more about Alegra Ally, her website: http://www.alegraally.com/, her blog: http://blog.alegraally.com/ and
her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/alegra.ally.photographer.
Tau’t Bato – people of the rock. Singapan valley, south Palawan, Philippines. A Taut Bato girl washing a
potato in a small stream after digging it from the soil with the macheatha.
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