Forever Walé (I am Walé Respect Me, part II)

In the remote reaches of DR Congo, young pygmy mothers follow an ancient tradition of living in isolation with their newborns for months or even years. Walés (primiparous nursing mother) stage their return to society through a lyrical account of their isolation. They participate here in staged photographs that bear witness to a part of their personal history. Each set-up worked as a visual representation of one of the subjects that the Walé would sing about on the day of her release from seclusion. All images shot in the bush without any photomontage nor collage.

#1 Walé Bontongu’s pond
« Ensansa : Elìba éné ê ndé ngìná y’ôkonda, enu nsí bápóbôbólé lòkóto, nyama bápówêne itábo». (Song : I am like pond in forest, like fish skin that does not peel, like animal not see move like fish in water).
The Walé ritual is highly competitive as it’s all about having more prestige and power than your rivals to boost family honour. Speaking to other Walés, Bontongu (19 years old, married, 3 years in seclusion, the mother of Falone) sings her superiority: she is mysterious like a pond (usually a hidden place in the forest where spirits lie) and untouchable as this animal or that fish.

#2 Bosala, leopard Walé
« Ensansa : Walé lângóyàlé nkòi ng’áòpósa lûmòlá ngwá la ntábà. Bàsómi bâkìnú lobétámá ndé bìtánda. Walé là ngóyàlé nkòi ndé bìtánda lûmólá ngwá ». (Song : Walé became like leopard when she hunts you hide dogs and goats. My assistants lie on branches. Walé it looks like she became leopard on branch, remove dogs).
By comparing herself to a leopard, Walé Bosala (17 years old, married, 1 year in seclusion, mother of Pauline) expresses her singularity and displays her superiority. She also warns other Walés: she has the willpower to defend against them if necessary

#3 Walé Besawu’s bed
« Ensansa : Lòtsíka mbétàme nd’âbúnja, ntsípétòlo bòmpêmpe. » (Song : Let I sleep on leaves, I no fear wind).
It is a criticism that Walé Besawu (20 years old, without a husband, 3 years in seclusion, mother of José Ikongo) makes of her father: he never repaired her seclusion hut, poorly insulated, or made her a suitable bed. So she spent her nights facing the wind, lying on a bed made of leaves.

#4 Walé Bakuku, generous like palm nuts
« Ensansa : Walé njômùkòlé mpòfu nd’íbá, njôlíkèlí boloi » (Song : Walé me I extract palm nuts, I distribute to crowd).
The Walé ritual is highly competitive as it’s all about having more prestige and power than your rivals to boost family honour. By handing out palm nuts (a symbol of generosity among Ekondas) Walé Bakuku (20 years old, married, four years in seclusion, Benjamin’s mother) sings her superiority.

#5 Ntembe, sparrowhawk Walé
« Ensansa : Njalé nkombé éné yélúá nd’ókili, ntsíbátá íbáko nd’ólògo biàlé» (Song : I became sparrowhawk wandering the world. I did not find sitting at court, you understand Walés).
Walé Ntembe (18 years old, without a husband, 2 years in seclusion, the mother of Beane), self-praises her attitude and discredits other Walés that spend too much time walking about in the village (which is dishonourable) while she remains in her hut to care for her child.