The Village

Woke with the sun this morning and watched the mist rise over the mountains. Finally a day of sunshine after endless rain. We decided on a five hour trek with the promise that the Moose could lounge tomorrow. Our guide Mohab took us to a Berber village where we were invited to take lunch with a local family. We were so pleased we joined them. It was the first time we have properly interacted with any local woman. Mohab told us that the village was basically populated by a single clan and the evidence was all around us. The woman all shared a single face and an unusual shade of rust coloured hair. While they prepared a meal of egg tagine, walnuts, bread and argan oil and the most delicious goats butter I played with the beautiful children. There appeared to be two sisters each with six children ranging in age between 2-12. The oldest, Fatima was very interested in my camera and was very happy to photographed. She loved seeing her image on the screen The people we have come across have not been happy to be photographed, it felt like a privilege. By the end of our visit I was invited to photograph the entire family.

I was rather taken with little Chadima. Her reserved nature and soulful eyes reminded us so much of our Isabella. Her mother told us that she was unused to strangers but I could see she was really touched by all the attention we lavished on her. I believe they shave the little girls hair as part of a ritual when they are two. At least that was what we think our guide told us. All the tiny girls had gold studs in their ears and a tuft of hair at the front.

When we left our host pressed her head against mine and looked deeply in my eyes. She kissed me and embraced me with such warmth that left me quite emotional. Young Fatima followed us along the road for ages, absolutely besotted with Isabella who had given her gum and her lip balm. SHe had tears in her eyes as we waved goodbye.

It has been much the highlight of our trip.