Series description
Said to date back 200 years, traditional Senegalese pirogue racing is an extremely popular sport. Crowds descend to the banks of the Senegal River in Saint-Louis to cheer on teams from along the Senegal coast. Starting in the early hours of the morning, supporters gather to watch the unveiling of each pirogue, which is freshly painted and blessed by each team’s religious leader, their marabout. The boats are then pushed into the river with cheers from the crowds.
Biography
JOHN WESSELS (Johannesburg, 1987), 2016 started freelancing for AFP Southern Africa. From 2017 to 2019 he was based in Kinshasa, DRC, freelancing for AFP and others, NGO’s and UN. He is currently working out of Dakar, Senegal as chief photographer in West Africa for AFP. Awards and exhibitions include 2nd and 3rd in World Press Photo 2019, 2nd wire photographer of the year in the Guardian, 2nd photographer of the year POYI, solo exhibition at Visa pour l’image and others.
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Two pirogue teams race each other along the Senegal River in Saint-Louis on 23 July 2022. Each neighbourhood puts forward multiple teams to compete in the event.
© John Wessels, South Africa, Shortlist, Professional competition, Sport, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards
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Supporters cheer as their team’s pirogue is unveiled in the fishing village of Guet N’Dar in Saint-Louis on 23 July 2022.
© John Wessels, South Africa, Shortlist, Professional competition, Sport, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards
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Supporters cheer as their team’s pirogue is unveiled in the fishing village of Guet N’Dar in Saint-Louis on July 23, 2022.
© John Wessels, South Africa, Shortlist, Professional competition, Sport, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards
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Supporters sing and dance after the unveiling of her team’s pirogue in the fishing village of Guet N’Dar in Saint-Louis on 23 July 2022.
© John Wessels, South Africa, Shortlist, Professional competition, Sport, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards
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Supporters celebrate at the end of a pirogue race in Saint-Louis on 23 July 2022.
© John Wessels, South Africa, Shortlist, Professional competition, Sport, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards
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Supporters cheer as their team’s pirogue is unveiled in the fishing village of Guet N’Dar in Saint-Louis on 23 July 2022.
© John Wessels, South Africa, Shortlist, Professional competition, Sport, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards
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Supporters wait for the unveiling of their team’s pirogue in the fishing village of Guet N’Dar in Saint-Louis on 23 July 2022.
© John Wessels, South Africa, Shortlist, Professional competition, Sport, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards
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A marabout performs a blessing before the unveiling of his team’s pirogue in the fishing village of Guet N’Dar in Saint-Louis on 23 July 2022.
© John Wessels, South Africa, Shortlist, Professional competition, Sport, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards