Discover a village without men.

The village of Umoja (meaning Unity) in northern Kenya is a women-only community, not allowing men to reside there.

In 2017, Ghanaian photographer Paul Ninson visited the village of Umoja in Samburu County and took the photo series "The Village Without Men".

In 2017, Ghanaian photographer Paul Ninson visited the village of Umoja (established in 1990). Photo: Paul Ninson.

Women in Samburu are of various ages, and many of them are survivors of gender-based violence.

Rebecca Lolosoli is the village chief. After escaping an abusive marriage, she and 15 other women founded the village.

Village chief Rebecca Lolosoli. Photo: Paul Ninson.

Ninson says he decided to pursue photography to share “the little-told or never-told stories of the people of the continent”—part of a “community storytelling” program.

The lives of Umoja women are simple and free of worries. Photo: Paul Ninson.

Umoja was founded in 1990, and the village's first members came from remote villages in Samburu, scattered throughout the Rift Valley.

The village of Umoja was founded in 1990. At its peak, it housed approximately 50 women (and their children). Photo: Paul Ninson.

Without prior contact with the women there, Ninson made the trip without specific information, knowing only the general location of the village.

He shared that access was very difficult, and he was only welcomed after explaining the purpose of his visit. They were “very, very happy” to see the photos, he recounted.

Umoja residents' sons must leave the village when they turn 18. Photo: Paul Ninson.

Umoja is a Kiswahili word meaning "unity". At its peak, the village had about 50 families, including women and their children.

A mother and her son are photographed in the village. The sons of the women in the village are allowed to live in Umoja until they turn 18.

Umoja women in traditional attire. Photo: Paul Ninson.

Umoja is located near a campsite frequented by tourists visiting the region's famous Maasai Mara wildlife reserve.

Tourists wishing to visit Umoja will have to pay a small fee.

Umoja women earn money primarily to buy food and support their children's education . Photo: Paul Ninson.

Life in Umoja is very simple; women earn money mainly to buy food and support their children's education.

They earn money by selling handcrafted jewelry – an integral part of Samburu culture. Their buyers are mostly tourists.

Umoja upholds the right to live a life free from gender-based violence. Photo: Paul Ninson.

This community is committed to supporting one another and upholding the right to live a life free from gender-based violence.

Ninson's goal in sharing these photographs, along with his other photo series, is to "connect people with each other" and with the wider world around them.

Umoja women make and sell handcrafted jewelry. Photo: Paul Ninson.

"I believe in the power of storytelling. It has the power to bring people together and help us see the world in new and unexpected ways," Ninson said.

Umoja women are masters of their own destiny. Photo: Paul Ninson.

Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/kham-pha-ngoi-lang-khong-co-dan-ong-172250122073155663.htm