Ugandan Fisherman
Ssese Islands, Lake Victoria, Uganda, Africa
Camera: Rolleiflex
The story: The Ssese Islands of Uganda were evacuated because of an outbreak of a deathly fever caused by the Tse Tse fly. Andronico, lodge owner and tour director, arranged for a fellow parishioner to take me in his boat to an isolated fishing village. On the way out I was told that we were the first foreigners to be brought there since its founding two years prior. The scene was pure: a few simple huts, some antiquated but functional boats, men and women smoking fish and repairing nets, and children everywhere. Andronico had promised me lunch, but I had caught the village unprepared. A commotion arose as a few elder men broke from conference and sent some boys in pursuit of one of the prized, harried chickens who literally ran for their lives. Captured and bound, the chicken was presented by the assembled villagers. The translator explained how the chicken was a gift in-lieu of the promised feast. As my boat pulled away, I looked down at the chicken in my hand, who glared back with accusing eyes and then back at the village. I couldn't help but think myself back in biblical times.
