refocus-ng-dani-tribal-chief-in-forest-1749111525

Dani Tribal Chief in Forest

Beng Tiong Ng

Singapore

refocus-bt-at-golden-eagle-festival-1747222458

The Dani in the Baliem Valley in Papua was discovered only in the last century, and still live in their traditional farming and hunting way. The tribal chief is still highly respected. He wears distinctive tribal attire, including body paint, feathers, animal bones, and penis sheath called “koteka”.

Bronze

Nominee

Mongolian eagle hunters are Kazakhs who migrated to Mongolia, with a tradition of hunting on horseback with eagle. The eagle hunting customs are displayed at the annual Golden Eagle Festival. The contest to pick up two coin bags at full gallop requires perfect balance for both man and horse.

refocus-ng-balancing-act-at-full-gallop-1749111516

Silver

Perfect balance at full gallop

Hagia Sophia is an architectural masterpiece; a mosque, museum and former church, with a history of two millenia. The huge interior is a space of awe and serenity. Winter lights shone through the windows and showed the age in the ceilings but chandeliers aptly appeared as halo’s over the visitors.

refocus-ng-winter-halos-in-hagia-sophia-1748679361

Winter Halos in Hagia Sophia

Dani tribal chief in the Balaam Valley in Highland Papua, Indonesia. Despite the arrival of Christianity, Muslim Indonesians and modern way of life, the tribal chief is still highly respected and exercises great authority. The village people and tradition still revolves around him.

refocus-ng-dani-tribal-chief-1748679193

Dani Tribe Revolves Around Chief

Karens from Myanmar forcibly migrated to northern Thai mountains to survive. Their ladies sport brass neck rings originally to protect against tiger bites but now, sadly, to attract tourists. One is pictured selling souvenirs with a young boy in the distant helping to keep the path clean.

refocus-ng_long-neck-beauty-1747220126

Honorable Mention

Long-neck beauty

Mongolian eagle hunters are Kazakhs who have a tradition of hunting on horseback. Man and horse are one mobile unit. At the Golden Eagle Festival, sports are held to show their skills. The contest to pick up coin bags at full gallop requires perfect balance for both man and horse.

refocus-ng_perfect-balance-of-man-and-horse-1747215895

Gold

Perfect balance of man and horse

Ukrainian diaspora caused by war at home. A group of enterprising Ukrainian girls set up a tourist photo business at popular tourist spots in major European cities. Enterprising, creative and dignified way of surviving.

refocus-ng_ukrainian-photographer-in-athens-1747215019

Ukrainian Photographer in Athens

Dani tribe in the Balaam Valley in Highland Papua, Indonesia.
Despite the arrival of Christianity, Muslim Indonesians and modern way of life, the tribal chief is still highly respected and exercises great authority. The village people and tradition still revolves around him.

refocus-ng_village-revolves-around-chief-1747214796

Village revolves around chief

Mongolian eagle hunters are Kazakhs who migrated to the Altai Mountains in Mongolia and brought with them their tradition of hunting with eagles. The eagle hunters are revered in their communities. Their falconry skills are passed down the generations. 8-year old Dinka has bonded with his eagle.