afrofuturism, ancestors and resistance

Photos by Gouled Abdishakour Ahmed for AFROPUNK.

Steeped in the rich myths, and lore of Somali and Ethiopian culture Gouled Ahmed’s debut photographic series “One day these names will be ours” is a manifesto of resistance. Combining elements of Afrofuturism with traditional East African sartorial practices, the series aims to both re-contextualize, and re-imagine the history of the Horn, and the continent at large.

In it, Gouled mixes vibrant and intricately textured garments from the Horn of Africa, with contemporary, everyday materials. Playing with the notions of the veil, of being masked and unmasked as well as with shape and form.

He creates images that are alien, and are less concerned with his physical likeness, but are still instantly recognizable to viewers as human. Floral motifs feature heavily in the series to symbolize the central role that nature and natural elements played in the Horn pre-colonization. This series is an ode to the heroes of old, to our ancestors, and to marginalized individuals and communities.

Gouled Abdishakour Ahmed
Gouled Abdishakour Ahmed
Gouled Abdishakour Ahmed
Gouled Abdishakour Ahmed
Gouled Abdishakour Ahmed
Gouled Abdishakour Ahmed
Gouled Abdishakour Ahmed