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The Weight of Our Water
by Kathaambi Faith Mutegi
view artist details
view Kathaambi’s storybook chapter
Water is heavy. So, too, is its absence.
The Weight of Our Water is a photo essay exploring people’s relationship to water across the Murang’a, Kirinyaga, and Tharaka Nithi counties in Kenya. As environmental degradation, ecological mismanagement, and external forces wreak havoc upon the region’s ecosystems, the water resources of this already arid region become scarcer and scarcer. Climate change has lengthened and intensified drought in the area, straining communities’ relationships to water and each other. In a series of powerful images, Mutegi documents incredible journeys embarked upon to get the water needed for daily life.
Through each photo, viewers gain a glimpse of the risks taken to reach and transport a precious and limited resource. They are also given insight into the strength, resourcefulness, and determination needed to survive – and thrive – in the climate of these arid counties.
Behind each image is a story: sometimes of sacrifice, sometimes of solidarity. Children in the region are frequently denied both an education and a playful childhood, instead spending their days on the physically intense chore of fetching water. Young adults take up employment as water couriers, pushing their bodies to the limit to meet demand. Elders share knowledge about where water might be found when the broadly known sources dry up.
Astute viewers will notice the presence of a jerrican in most every photo, as though it is a character in and of itself. Individuals with more sophisticated transport mechanisms – donkeys, motorbikes, and wheelbarrows – often loan these to neighbours in order to help alleviate the burden of transport, making lighter The Weight of Our Water.
John Mwangi Kamau embarks on a perilous journey to Maragwa River, risking it all on his motorbike to fetch water and supply smallholder businesses in Murang’a County.
Stephen Mwangi bravely balances precious sanitation water on his bicycle, with a concoction of optimism and a slight desperation etched in his eyes, racing against time to deliver to Makutano Vineyard Motel.
Octavio Ndung’u relies on the aid of friends to deliver water to his home, his young body straining under the weight of an overburdened borrowed wheelbarrow, navigating the dusty Alleys of Makutano, Murang’a County. Denied education for months, Ndung’u sacrifices his childhood daily to fetch water for his struggling single mother and three other siblings.
Jane and her Daughter Mukami embrace hope amidst adversity, gracefully journeying back from fetching water at a well in Marimanti, near Raibuni Academy, Tharaka Nithi County.
In the arid landscape of Tharaka, Mwenda is resourceful and optimistic as he collects the resilient remnants of salty water from a near-dry hole in Karuguyuni village, near the majestic Ciamuciara hill, Tharaka Nithi County.
Maricella Mwangi embarks on her homeward journey along the Serene Nkubu Marimanti road, accompanied by her faithful donkey and containers filled with water. A beautiful scene of perseverance and triumph by the Tharaka, Meru Community in Tharaka Nithi County.
The Weight of Our Water
por Kathaambi Faith Mutegi
ver los detalles del artista
ver el capítulo del libro de cuentos
El agua pesa. También lo es su ausencia.
The Weight of Our Water es un ensayo fotográfico que explora la relación entre la gente y el agua en los condados kenianos de Murang’a, Kirinyaga y Tharaka Nithi. A medida que la degradación del medio ambiente, la mala gestión ecológica y las fuerzas externas causan estragos en los ecosistemas de la región, los recursos hídricos de esta región, ya de por sí árida, son cada vez más escasos. El cambio climático ha prolongado e intensificado la sequía en la zona, tensando las relaciones de las comunidades con el agua y entre sí. A través de una serie de impactantes imágenes, Mutegi documenta increíbles viajes emprendidos para conseguir el agua necesaria para la vida cotidiana.
A través de cada foto, el espectador puede vislumbrar los riesgos que se corren para alcanzar y transportar un recurso precioso y limitado. También se les da una idea de la fuerza, el ingenio y la determinación necesarios para sobrevivir -y prosperar- en el clima de estos áridos condados.
Detrás de cada imagen hay una historia: a veces de sacrificio, a veces de solidaridad. A los niños de la región se les suele negar tanto la educación como una infancia lúdica, y en su lugar pasan los días en la intensa tarea física de ir a buscar agua. Los adultos jóvenes trabajan como repartidores de agua, llevando sus cuerpos al límite para satisfacer la demanda. Los ancianos comparten sus conocimientos sobre dónde encontrar agua cuando se agotan las fuentes más conocidas.
Los espectadores avispados notarán la presencia de un bidón en casi todas las fotos, como si fuera un personaje en sí mismo. Las personas con mecanismos de transporte más sofisticados – burros, motocicletas y carretillas – suelen prestarlos a los vecinos para aliviar la carga del transporte, haciendo más ligero el peso del agua.
John Mwangi Kamau embarks on a perilous journey to Maragwa River, risking it all on his motorbike to fetch water and supply smallholder businesses in Murang’a County.
Stephen Mwangi bravely balances precious sanitation water on his bicycle, with a concoction of optimism and a slight desperation etched in his eyes, racing against time to deliver to Makutano Vineyard Motel.
Octavio Ndung’u relies on the aid of friends to deliver water to his home, his young body straining under the weight of an overburdened borrowed wheelbarrow, navigating the dusty Alleys of Makutano, Murang’a County. Denied education for months, Ndung’u sacrifices his childhood daily to fetch water for his struggling single mother and three other siblings.
Jane and her Daughter Mukami embrace hope amidst adversity, gracefully journeying back from fetching water at a well in Marimanti, near Raibuni Academy, Tharaka Nithi County.
In the arid landscape of Tharaka, Mwenda is resourceful and optimistic as he collects the resilient remnants of salty water from a near-dry hole in Karuguyuni village, near the majestic Ciamuciara hill, Tharaka Nithi County.
Maricella Mwangi embarks on her homeward journey along the Serene Nkubu Marimanti road, accompanied by her faithful donkey and containers filled with water. A beautiful scene of perseverance and triumph by the Tharaka, Meru Community in Tharaka Nithi County.
The Weight of Our Water
(Le Poids de Notre Eau)
par Kathaambi Faith Mutegi
voir les détails de l’artiste
voir le chapitre du livre d’histoires
L’eau est lourde. Son absence l’est tout autant.
The Weight of Our Water est un essai photographique qui explore la relation des gens à l’eau dans les comtés de Murang’a, Kirinyaga et Tharaka Nithi au Kenya. Alors que la dégradation de l’environnement, la mauvaise gestion écologique et les forces extérieures font des ravages dans les écosystèmes de la région, les ressources en eau de cette région déjà aride se font de plus en plus rares. Le changement climatique a prolongé et intensifié la sécheresse dans la région, mettant à rude épreuve les relations des communautés avec l’eau et entre elles. À travers une série d’images puissantes, Mutegi documente les incroyables voyages entrepris pour obtenir l’eau nécessaire à la vie quotidienne.
Chaque photo donne un aperçu des risques pris pour atteindre et transporter une ressource précieuse et limitée. Ils découvrent également la force, l’ingéniosité et la détermination nécessaires pour survivre – et prospérer – dans le climat de ces pays arides.
Derrière chaque image se cache une histoire : parfois celle d’un sacrifice, parfois celle d’une solidarité. Les enfants de la région sont souvent privés d’éducation et d’une enfance ludique, passant leurs journées à la corvée d’eau, une activité physiquement intense. Les jeunes adultes se font embaucher comme passeurs d’eau, poussant leur corps à la limite pour répondre à la demande. Les anciens partagent leurs connaissances sur les endroits où l’on peut trouver de l’eau lorsque les sources les plus connues se tarissent. Les spectateurs attentifs remarqueront la présence d’un jerrican sur la plupart des photos, comme s’il s’agissait d’un personnage à part entière. Les personnes disposant de moyens de transport plus sophistiqués – ânes, motos et brouettes – les prêtent souvent à leurs voisins afin d’alléger le fardeau du transport, ce qui rend plus léger The Weight of Our Water.
John Mwangi Kamau embarks on a perilous journey to Maragwa River, risking it all on his motorbike to fetch water and supply smallholder businesses in Murang’a County.
Stephen Mwangi bravely balances precious sanitation water on his bicycle, with a concoction of optimism and a slight desperation etched in his eyes, racing against time to deliver to Makutano Vineyard Motel.
Octavio Ndung’u relies on the aid of friends to deliver water to his home, his young body straining under the weight of an overburdened borrowed wheelbarrow, navigating the dusty Alleys of Makutano, Murang’a County. Denied education for months, Ndung’u sacrifices his childhood daily to fetch water for his struggling single mother and three other siblings.
Jane and her Daughter Mukami embrace hope amidst adversity, gracefully journeying back from fetching water at a well in Marimanti, near Raibuni Academy, Tharaka Nithi County.
In the arid landscape of Tharaka, Mwenda is resourceful and optimistic as he collects the resilient remnants of salty water from a near-dry hole in Karuguyuni village, near the majestic Ciamuciara hill, Tharaka Nithi County.
Maricella Mwangi embarks on her homeward journey along the Serene Nkubu Marimanti road, accompanied by her faithful donkey and containers filled with water. A beautiful scene of perseverance and triumph by the Tharaka, Meru Community in Tharaka Nithi County.
The Weight of Our Water
(وزن مياهنا)
كاثامبي فيث موتيجي
عن الفنان
الماء ثقيل. وكذلك غيابه.
“وزن مياهنا” هو مقال مصور يستكشف علاقة الناس بالمياه في مقاطعات مورانغا، وكيرينياغا، وثاراكا نيثي في كينيا. لقد تم تدمير النظام البيئ في المنطقة بسبب سوء الإدارة البيئية والقوى الخارجية، وأصبحت الموارد المائية في هذه المناطق القاحلة أكثر ندرة. وقد أدى تغير المناخ إلى إطالة أمد الجفاف في المنطقة مما تسبب في توتر علاقات المجتمعات المحلية بالمياه وبعضها البعض. من خلال سلسلة من الصور القوية، توثق موتيجي رحلات البحث عن المياة التي يقوم بها المحليين لتغطية احتياجاتهم اليومية من الماء.
في كل صورة، يمكن للمشاهدون أن يدركوا المخاطر التي يتعرض لها السكان المحليون للوصول ونقل مورد ثمين وشحيح مثل الماء. كما يتم إعطاؤهم لمحة عن القوة وسعة الحيلة والتصميم اللازمة للبقاء على قيد الحياة – والازدهار – في مناخ هذه المقاطعات القاحلة.
وراء كل صورة قصة: أحيانًا تضحية، وأحيانًا تضامن. كثيراً ما يُحرم الأطفال في المنطقة من التعليم ومن حقهم في الطفولة المرحة، وبدلاً من ذلك يقضون أيامهم في العمل الروتيني المرهق جسديا المتمثل في جلب المياه. ويعمل الشباب في مجال نقل المياه، ويدفعون أجسادهم إلى أقصى حدود الاحتمال لتلبية احتياجاتهم. ويتبادل كبار السن المعرفة حول الأماكن التي يمكن العثور على المياه فيها عندما تجف المصادر المعروفة على نطاق واسع.
سيلاحظ المشاهد الفطن وجود جيريكان في كل صورة تقريبًا، كما لو كان شخصية بحد ذاتها. والأفراد الذين يمتلكون آليات نقل أكثر تطورا مثل الحمير، والدراجات النارية، وعربات اليد، غالبا ما يعيرونها إلى الجيران من أجل المساعدة في تخفيف عبء النقل، مما يجعل وزن مياهنا أخف.
John Mwangi Kamau embarks on a perilous journey to Maragwa River, risking it all on his motorbike to fetch water and supply smallholder businesses in Murang’a County.
Stephen Mwangi bravely balances precious sanitation water on his bicycle, with a concoction of optimism and a slight desperation etched in his eyes, racing against time to deliver to Makutano Vineyard Motel.
Octavio Ndung’u relies on the aid of friends to deliver water to his home, his young body straining under the weight of an overburdened borrowed wheelbarrow, navigating the dusty Alleys of Makutano, Murang’a County. Denied education for months, Ndung’u sacrifices his childhood daily to fetch water for his struggling single mother and three other siblings.
Jane and her Daughter Mukami embrace hope amidst adversity, gracefully journeying back from fetching water at a well in Marimanti, near Raibuni Academy, Tharaka Nithi County.
In the arid landscape of Tharaka, Mwenda is resourceful and optimistic as he collects the resilient remnants of salty water from a near-dry hole in Karuguyuni village, near the majestic Ciamuciara hill, Tharaka Nithi County.
Maricella Mwangi embarks on her homeward journey along the Serene Nkubu Marimanti road, accompanied by her faithful donkey and containers filled with water. A beautiful scene of perseverance and triumph by the Tharaka, Meru Community in Tharaka Nithi County.