Photographer’s Journey of Identity, Art, and the Maasai | Black Voyage

Growing up, I was only exposed to one narrative of Africa through the media.

I remember these commercials showing starving children.

It left a strong impression on my young mind.

It made me feel afraid of Africa, as if that was the whole story.

In 2018, I set foot in Kenya for the very first time.

And something shifted within me.

A quiet awakening.

It felt like the story I'd been told felt narrow.

Like seeing only a fraction of a much larger picture.

In that moment, on that trip, I realized my purpose.

It was to capture the beauty, the depth, the spirit of the continent.

My name is Louge Delcy.

I'm a Brooklyn-based photographer and creative director with Deep Haitian Roots.

I've been documenting and photographing people for over 15 years.

I'm inspired by people.

Their stories.

Their resilience.

The traditions they carry, the colors they wear, and the rituals they keep reveal so much about who they are and where they are from.

♪ ♪ As I prepare for my first solo exhibition, The Black Voyage, I return to Kenya to reconnect with the Maasai, immersing myself in their way of life.

♪ ♪ [Louge] Nice to meet you, John.

[Louge] John is one of my guides for this trip.

He helps me get to know the Maasai on a deeper level.

♪ ♪ As I step into the Mara, I find myself surrounded by Maasai women.

Their strength and grace embodies the spirit of the land.

[Maasai women singing] [camera shutter clicks] [chanting] Seeing the warriors felt surreal.

I saw red, draped from almost every shoulder, a color that signifies bravery, courage, and strength.

An elder adorned with wisdom and loyalty.

♪ ♪ The youth, I see the joy behind their smiles.

♪ ♪ The Maasai brotherhood is a bond of unity and trust.

♪ ♪ [chanting continues] They show their pride in the jump.

[camera shutter clicks] It's called the adumu.

They tell me that the higher the jump, the more they catch the eyes of potential brides.

But it's more than just a bid for marriage.

It's a test of ability, a bearing witness to each other's skill.

The iron of their brotherhood sharpened with every breathtaking jump.

All in all, it's a rite of passage, by the end of their voyage, will come to define them forever.

♪ ♪ Leaping off the ground, they propel through the air as boys.

Landing on their feet, they return to the earth as men.

♪ ♪ Though shy, Helen carries the responsibility of training the women who do the beadwork here at the Women's Center.

Despite being young, she's at the forefront, instructing women much older than her.

[women talking amongst themselves] [laughing] [Louge] Wow, it's harder than it looks.

[laughing] [whistling] [whistling continues] [Louge] The livestock are at the heart of the Maasai's way of life, with cows holding a special place.

I learned that cows are more than just animals.

They represent wealth, providing meats, hides, and milk.

While cows symbolize wealth, the Maasai prioritize community above all.

Everything, from milk to resources, is shared.

♪ ♪ I must say, milking a cow?

Humbling experience.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, this is entirely new for me.

We come from different worlds, but sharing in this simple, everyday activity brought me closer to the Maasai and to their way of life.

♪ ♪ [cows mooing] [Maasai talking indistinctly] [Maasai men talking] ♪ ♪ [overlapping conversations] [fire crackling] [camera shutter clicks] -[singing] Oh God of all creation.

[children singing] [Louge] I felt an undeniable connection to the young hearts of Kenya.

Visiting the school offered me a glimpse into its future, a beautiful fusion of tradition and progress.

♪ ♪ As I photographed them, they asked me countless questions.

Where I'm from, what inspires my work, how my camera works.

♪ ♪ [Louge] Our day became an impromptu photo shoot.

A chance to share my passion for art.

Once unaware art can become a path, I now feel called to inspire others.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ [children talking] ♪ ♪ I met one of the elders at the local market, Maiwuata.

Before I even shook his hand, I instantly felt a connection.

One that goes far beyond our love for hats.

In him, I see my own reflection.

An older, wiser version of myself.

♪ ♪ The elders have taught me that sunrises symbolize new beginnings.

And new opportunities to thrive.

A perspective that resonates deeply within me.

Each morning, I wake up with the responsibility to honor their stories through my work.

♪ ♪ It's not just about portraying their way of life.

It's about fully immersing myself into their world.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Back in my studio, I reflect.

I see these images as more than just memories.

They are a lesson.

John's hospitality.

Helen's strength.

The warrior's courage.

The elder's presence.

And Joi's hope.

From my travels with the Maasai, I can see more clearly the journey I am on.

The journey we are all on.

This journey.

This story.

is, The Black Voyage.