*The Guns and Flowers*
*Father and sons of Suri tribe warrior with his AK-47 rifle to protect his family.*
Ethiopia
© Jatenipat Ketpradit

Written by Megan May Walsh

Thai photographer Jatenipat Ketpradit has been crowned this year’s top International Photographer with a prize of $3,000. Capturing stunning visuals of people in remote Ethiopian tribes, Ketpradit says that his work requires instilling trust into the people he photographs.

*Lord of Arbore*
This is the family photo of the Abore tribe's leader that include father(leader), mother, 4 sisters and young girl. The Arbore is an ethnic group living in southern Ethiopia. The Arbore people are pastoralists. They practice pastoralism, sorghum cultivation, seasonal fishing and hunting in a wide regional.
Ethiopia
© Jatenipat Ketpradit

“I always stay with the tribal people at least one week per tribe,” he said. “I spend the first 2-3 days to find the location and the direction of sunlight. Then choose the subject by their character, outfits, and their story.”

He also talked about the importance of honoring cultural traditions like gift-giving.

“If you visit here, you must follow their rules and regulations by giving them gifts. This will instill trust in new visitors. They are still wary at first, but once accepted and convinced that you are not a threat, they will embrace you to show appreciation.”

*People of the Hill*
Ethiopia
© Jatenipat Ketpradit

In order to capture the tribespeople at their most authentic, the photographer spent weeks getting to know them as family. These tribes are often difficult to access from the outside world, said Ketpradit.

“The Suri tribe is one of the hardest to reach in Ethiopia,” he said. “They live on a high mountain that is difficult to approach from the outside world. They take immense pleasure in their scars and traditions.”

The Suri tribe, pictured in The Gun and Flowers, are nomads who live in the South West region of Ethiopia, the West Omo Zone. Amongst a population of 34,000, three groups make up the Suri: the Tirmanga, Chai, and Baale.

*Reign of the Hunters*
Ethiopia
© Jatenipat Ketpradit

Firearms, Ketpradit explained, have caused a “slew of issues” for the tribes. As they find the balance between traditional life and modern technology, they must battle the morals and ethics of wielding such weapons that go against their culture and customs.

“A weapon may be utilized to solve any problem. It can occasionally deteriorate into clan wars and guerrilla warfare,” said Ketpradit.

“Gun and Flower, New technology and Old tradition, The killer or the guardian.”

To see more work and the rest of the winners in the other categories, visit here.

All credit goes to Jatenipat Ketpradit and The International Portrait Photographer of the Year 2022.