Salamu
His paw gingerly lifts to touch his father’s looming face.
Salamu means "greeting" in Swahili.
The movement was certain. The cub had pressed forward from the verge of the grass thickets, some meters away, towards his father - the dominant male of the pride. The impressively maned male continued to watch quietly, almost dispassionately, as the cub meandered towards him, zigzagging at the fringe. Closer, the cub’s eyes locked onto his target, staring with a furrowed certainty as to his goal. With his small form belying his courage, the cub took on a determined stride, reaching his father's face as quickly as he appeared. Pressing, he lifted his paw gently, touching the side of his father’s face. Then slowly, they nuzzled. It was a greeting of affection, perhaps with a touch of courage reflected in his belonging to this successful pride.
We had been with the lions for a good part of the morning that day. The interactions were constant but often very subtle. One had to look closely and follow certain pride members to get a sense of the story - of who is who and the exchanges of unspoken moments in this rather complex set of relationships on display. There were some cubs sleeping and others playing near some thickets of a dead tree trunk nearby. Many of the females lay quietly in the presence of the dominant male. The shady areas help protect them from the African heat. What was different was this particular cub. Unlike his brothers and sisters, he chose to remain near the dominant male. He targeted various interactions, including this one, with some playfulness but consistently with the male. It was fascinating to observe, but I wondered why he spent all that time on him and did not play with the others. Perhaps, like in some human families, there is a natural kinship between some of the members of the family - one of respect, trust, and perhaps even regard.
Raw Africa Collection
Welcome to Africa - the wise, the restless, and the life giving.
This soulful land of dreamers gives rise to the underbelly of a beautiful, gentle beat that is only heard by those who listen for it. This photographic journey explores, profiles, and captures what I hope is the heart and soul of Africa's true wilderness kingdom. From its deep bush to its dry savannah and desert, Africa remains a place where life is represented by timeless vistas that are distilled into moments to treasure.
