People nominee
Thibault Gerbaldi
Scarified Stories (Single)
DESCRIPTION
Scarified Stories
These two young women belong to the Mursi tribe, one of the numerous tribes in southwest Ethiopia, near the border with South Sudan. The Mursi people take immense pride in their heritage and traditions, living closely-knit communal lives.
During my stay in a Mursi village, I gained insights into the profound significance of scarification within their culture. Scarification serves as a means to distinguish between various ethnic groups and clans within the Mursi tribe. Furthermore, it plays a pivotal role in rites of passage, marking significant life transitions such as puberty, marriage, or childbirth. As individuals undergo these milestones, scarification becomes a symbolic expression of personal growth and evolving societal roles. Additionally, within Mursi culture, scarification is viewed as a form of embellishment and enhancement of beauty.
AUTHOR
Self-taught photographer and passionate traveler, Thibault Gerbaldi roams the world to capture visual stories infused with emotion and authenticity.
His work has been recognized in prestigious international competitions, earning first place at the International Travel Photo Awards, second place at the PX3 (Prix de la Photographie de Paris) and the Monovision Awards, and third place at the Fine Art Photography Awards. In 2024, he received the Rising Talent Award from Travel Photographer of the Year, the world’s most prestigious travel photography competition.
His images have been published in Leica Fotografie International, All About Photo, LENS Magazine, and various specialized media. Much like Thibault himself, his work travels the world—from Miami to Paris, Venice, Los Angeles, and Rome. In 2024, his growing recognition earned him a spot among AAP’s Emerging Talents to Watch.
Beyond photography, Thibault is committed to supporting humanitarian causes through his work. A board member of The Forgotten International since 2019, he donates a portion of his book and print sales to fund solidarity projects supporting marginalized communities.
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