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Somalis in Ethiopia – in pictures

theguardian
Using double exposure photography, Leikun Nahusenay documents life in Jijiga, the capital of the Somali region of Ethiopia. Addis Rumble repor

Ethiopians in Somalia, by Leikun Nahusenay
Somalis in Jijiga, the capital of the Somali region of Ethiopia. Photograph: Leikun Nahusenay

Leikun Nahusenay is a young and talented art photographer from Ethiopia. He holds an MA in fine art from Addis Ababa Fine Art school, and works as a studio artist and photographer in the Nas Gedame studio in the city.

Leikun Nahusenay in his studio in Addis Ababa
Leikun Nahusenay in his studio in Addis Ababa. Photograph: Addis Rumble
Ethiopians in Somalia by Leikun Nahusenay
These photos were taken when Nahusenay visited Jijiga on a recent trip. Photograph: Leikun Nahusenay

He is a member of the Netsa Art Village, one of Addis’ most important art spaces and one of the city’s few green public oases.

Somalis in Ethiopi by Leikun Nahusenay
He used the trip to document the lives of Somalis living there. Photograph: Leikun Nahusenay

Leikun has had several solo and group exhibitions in Addis and abroad, and in recent years the Portfolio Meetings for upcoming African photographers arranged by the Goethe Institute have taken him to Mali and DR Congo.

Somalis in Ethiopia by Leikun Nahusenay
Photograph: Leikun Nahusenay
Ethiopians in Somalia by Leikun Nahusenay
Photograph: Leikun Nahusenay

As well as making art, Leikun teaches photography and does art-workshops for children in Addis.

Ethiopians in Somalia by Leikun Nahusenay
Photograph: Leikun Nahusenay

One of Leikun’s recent trips took him to Jijiga, the capital of Somali Region Ethiopia.

Ethiopians in Somalia by Leikun Nahusenay
Photograph: Leikun Nahusenay

Through double exposure photography he documented the daily life and cultural practices of Ethiopian Somalis, and we are pleased to finally be able to present some of Leikun’s impressive work.

Ethiopians in Somalia by Leikun Nahusenay
Photograph: Leikun Nahusenay

Discover a part of Ethiopia usually unknown and unseen by both foreigners and most Ethiopians.

You can explore more of Leikun’s work and get in touch with him on hiswebsite.

Filed in: Music & Dramas