“Naabas” Chefs Traditionnels du Burkina Faso

Photographer Jean-Dominique Burton (1952, resides in Rixensart, Belgium) traveled thirty years from the Atlas Mountains to the Himalayas where he covered many subjects in black and white, and in colour. He is the author of the freeze-framing book “Hong Kong Transit”, capturing the island’s lifestyle fifteen days before and fifteen days after the handover to China.

Last year Burton arrived to the West-African country Burkina Faso to begin a complete black and white portrait gallery on the Naabas: traditional chiefs, kings and even the emperor, with power and wisdom, chosen from a diversity of the twelve cultural entities of the country (Mossi, Lobi, Bobo, Gan, Bissa …)

The face-to-face work of Burton with the Naabas shows realistic, but raw images. Each king is on his throne, without any entourage or assistance. Disturbing elements have been taken out of the frames; Burton captured a moment of timeless waiting, while traveling from village to village with only his compact photo studio. This contemporary photography is depicted as traditional royal portrait paintings.

“NAABAS” - TRADITIONAL CHIEFS FROM BURKINA FASO

is a series of 53 duotone portraits by J-D. Burton.

Traditional chiefs and kings, chosen from a diversity of the cultural entities of the country (Mossi, Lobi, Bobo, Gan, Bissa, ..)

Hardcover / 245 X 320 mm / 88 pp / 53 illustrations

In exclusivity for this site visitors you can buy a signed book with a book size real photographic print-out from the cover image.

Price: 150 €, expedition costs included.