Qes Deseta Altah was one of my informants for my dissertation research on Ethiopian scribal production. I took this portrait while meeting with him at his home in Gelawdios, outside of Bahir Dar.
Month: April 2011
Tanqwa #3, Lake Tana, Ethiopia, 2007
Two men paddle a load of wood from the far shores of Lake Tana to the Bahir Dar area. Despite the great weight of the wood, which submerges the boat, waterlogged papyrus still remains very buoyant, and resists sinking.
Tanqwa #1, Lake Tana, Ethiopia, 2007
A man paddles a large papyrus boat called a tanqwa on Lake Tana, shipping wood from the islands and shores to the Bahir Dar area. Despite the heavy load and low draft, papyrus boats continue to float, as waterlogged papyrus is still quite buoyant.