People nominee

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.

Self-taught photographer and traveler, Thibault Gerbaldi documents people and places with a clear, dignified eye. His work has earned top honors, including first place at the Siena Awards 2025, the International Photography Awards 2025, and the International Travel Photo Awards.

In 2024, he received the Rising Talent Award from Travel Photographer of the Year, the world’s most prestigious travel photography competition. That same year, he was named one of AAP’s Emerging Talents to Watch.
In 2025, three of his photographs were selected for Around the World with the Leica, a major exhibition held at the Leica headquarters in Wetzlar to celebrate the brand’s 100th anniversary. Chosen from over one million images submitted by more than 65,000 photographers worldwide, this recognition placed his work at the heart of Leica’s global centennial celebration.
His images have been published in Leica Fotografie International, All About Photo, Digital Camera, and various specialized media. His work travels the world—from Miami to Paris, Arles, Venice, Marrakech, Los Angeles and Rome.
Beyond photography, Thibault is committed to supporting humanitarian causes through his work. A board member of The Forgotten International, he funds solidarity projects through donations linked to the dissemination of his books and photographic prints.