This series provides a rare glimpse into the Mundari tribe and their battle against climate change. After a year of planning, I was the first photographer given unprecedented access by their newly appointed 26-year-old chief to live alongside the community and document their story.
The Mundari are a nomadic pastoralist tribe in South Sudan who share one of the most fascinating animal-to-human bonds on Earth. Each of their horned Ankole-Watusi cows can grow up to eight feet tall and be worth as much as $1000 (in a country where the average salary is $2 per month). Their cows are considered to be gifts from god and are never killed for their meat. Instead, they’re seen as walking nourishment, a pharmacy, a dowry, a bank, and most importantly — a friend. Their entire livelihood revolves around the wellbeing of their cattle, and the tribe are dedicated to protecting them by any means necessary.
The Mundari are one of the few remaining indigenous communities in the world who truly maintain their traditional way of life. In 2023, climate change has caused extreme drought that’s dried up their grazing lands. One of their beloved cows has died almost every day, devastating the community and threatening the extinction of their culture.