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River warriors

Emilie Favier

France

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In the heart of the dense jungle of Papua lives one of the last peoples to lead an almost entirely traditional existence.
They practise hunting in an exceptional way. At this moment, the men of the tribe are preparing the fire to cook the meat of the freshly hunted wild boar.

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Honorable Mention

The men prepare the fire

A striking demonstration of the Asmat people's expertise on the water. An ethnic group and tribe living on the southern coast of New Guinea, they handle their handmade boats with great ease. New Guinea. August 2025

People’s Vote Award

Silver

A moment of escape for a Dani warrior during the Baliem Festival. This event allows each group to showcase their traditional dances and skills. This suspended moment, full of contrast, highlights the beauty of their costumes.  New Guinea 2025

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Nominee

Dani warrior

I walked to one of the surrounding Suri villages, when I saw this young girl, with her traditional body paint, coming out of her house. She then approached a young zebu that was tied up nearby. I jumped at the opportunity to capture this moment of complicity in the heart of enchanting nature.

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The suri girl and the Zebu

A rare moment in life, a moment of smiles among the Suris of the Omo Valley. ‘Women with plates’ is a tradition among the Suris. The wearing of lip plates begins at sexual maturity and ends with the birth of the first child.
October 2025

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Smiles among the Suri

A suspended moment of a father and son on their backs, belonging to the Korowai ethnic group, in the middle of their jungle, their home and an almost divine light.

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Bronze

Legacy light

Makeup during the Ukuli ceremony, a Hamer ritual for all boys of age to become Donza men. He will receive a herd and can choose his future wife. This ceremony is an opportunity to show off. I was lucky enough to be able to attend this captivating ceremony. Omo valley, Ethiopia, 2024

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Ukuli Ceremony

I walked to one of the surrounding Suri villages, lost in the middle of nature, when I saw this young girl, with her traditional body paint, coming out of her house. I jumped at the opportunity to capture this moment of complicity in the heart of enchanting nature.

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The Suri girl and the Zebu

Two young riders advance through the steppes of Lake Kol-Suu, surrounded by valleys like a watercolor. Kol-Suu, Kyrgyzstan

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On the road of the nomads

A young mother and her child from the Mursi tribe, Ethiopia. 
I took this photograph, while the young mother was collecting the crops from their plantations, with her baby on her back, placed on the scars on her back.

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Marks of life among the Mursi

Moment of life, of smiles in the Suri tribe of the Omo valley. “Women on trays” as they say, is a tradition among Suri women. Wearing the lip plate begins at sexual maturity and ends with the birth of the first child.

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Smile among the Suri

Complicity of a young Suri girl with her cattle in the Omo mountains. I took this photograph when I visited his village lost in the mountains, his gaze was striking. Omo valley , November 2024

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The young suri girl and the zebu

Portrait of women from the Suri tribe, a tribe still living almost self-sufficiently in the mountains of the Omo Valley.

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The suri women

This photograph was taken one morning in the Mursi tribe in Ethiopia. It shows the harshness of the life of this tribe and at the same time a certain tenderness with the toddler at the feet of this armed father.

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Being armed for life

I captured this incredible scene, a moment from the religious ceremony of Theyyam, an ancient religious art and ritual where the artist embodies a god and combines ritual dances, music and theater. Here the artist tames fire in such a beautiful way.

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Art, religion and fire

Morning preparation, hairdressing and last minute sewing, before a little Indian girl goes to school, in a family of farmers in the countryside of Agra. I liked the authenticity of this scene, and the captivating look of this little Indian girl who obviously doesn't really want to go to school.

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Before school !

In Varanasi, Hindus from all over the world flock to make a pilgrimage to this sacred city. The contrast between the colorful outfits and the dark color of the Ganges gives off an otherworldly atmosphere, a real painting that I wanted to capture.