Through the eyes of Mamy H. Fall: photography, women and social change in Senegal

An interview with Mamy H. Fall

Photography has the power to preserve memory, challenge our way of seeing the world, and tell stories that words alone cannot always express. For Senegalese photographer Mamy H. Fall , the camera is much more than an artistic tool: it is a language with which she explores identity, memory, women's experiences, and the relationship between people and their environment.

In this interview for ELLA Global Community , Mamy shares her journey, reflects on the situation of women in Senegal, and explains why art can become a powerful space for dialogue and understanding.

Photograph

How did you begin your journey in photography and what inspired you to pick up a camera for the first time?

My journey into photography began with a need to tell stories that words alone could not express. Although my initial training was in financial engineering, I gradually felt the need to explore another way of understanding the world and conveying emotions. Photography became a language that allows me to question memory, identities, and the relationships between human beings and their environment.

What stories do you like to tell through your photographs?

I am particularly interested in invisible histories: those of women, traditions, beliefs, territories, and memories that have often been barely documented. My work also explores the relationship between humankind and nature, as well as the cultural heritage that shapes our identities.

How has photography changed the way you see people and the world around you?

Photography has taught me to observe before judging. It has allowed me to understand that behind every face, every landscape, and every gesture lies a story. It has made me more attentive to detail, more patient, and more aware of the richness of human experiences.

Is there a photograph or project that has a special meaning for you?

The series Femmes Asphyxiées ( Suffocated Women ) holds a very special place in my artistic career. Through this project, I explore the inequality of women's rights in our society, memory, and female figures. This series represents a very important stage in my artistic research because it brings together several themes that are fundamental to me and that continue to inspire my work.

What would you like people to feel or understand when they look at your work?

I would like you to take the time to look at things differently. If my photographs can awaken an emotion, a reflection, or simply a curiosity about unseen stories, then they will have fulfilled their purpose.

Senegal

For those who have never visited Senegal, what three things should they know about your country?

Senegal is, above all, a country of hospitality, where welcoming is an integral part of our culture. It is also a country of great cultural and linguistic diversity, with a rich history. Finally, it is a place where artistic creation is especially vibrant, driven by a dynamic and creative youth.

What aspects of Senegalese culture make you most proud?

I am proud of the richness of our oral traditions, the strength of community ties, our artistic heritage, and the ability of Senegalese people to preserve their identity while remaining open to the world.

How has Senegal changed throughout your life, especially for women and new generations?

Today's younger generations have greater access to information, technology, and spaces for expression. Women are also increasingly visible in many sectors, especially in entrepreneurship, culture, and the arts. Despite these advances, challenges related to inequality and social norms persist.

What are the main challenges that women in Senegal face today?

The main challenges remain access to economic opportunities, quality education, project funding, and more balanced representation in certain decision-making and creative spaces.

Women's rights

In your opinion, what are the most important issues currently affecting women in Senegal?

Economic autonomy, access to education, health, valuing women's work, combating gender violence, and recognizing their contribution to the country's development are fundamental issues.

Have you seen progress in women's rights and opportunities over the past few years?

Yes. More and more women are starting businesses, creating companies, leading organizations, or developing cultural and social initiatives. Although there is still much to be done, their visibility and influence continue to grow.

What role can education play in creating more opportunities for women and girls?

Education is a fundamental tool. It allows us to develop critical thinking, self-confidence, and autonomy. It also offers the possibility of imagining a different future and actively contributing to the community.

Are there women in your life or community who have particularly inspired you?

My primary source of inspiration is my mother, for her resilience and strength. I am also inspired by all those women who, often working behind the scenes, support their families, pass on knowledge, and contribute to the development of their communities with immense courage.

What advice would you give to young women who want to pursue their dreams despite social or cultural barriers?

I would tell them to believe in their vision, to stay curious, to keep learning, and not to be afraid to forge their own path. Obstacles exist, but perseverance, hard work, and mutual support often allow you to overcome them.

Diversity and human rights

In many countries there is a growing debate about LGBTQ+ rights. How do you perceive these conversations in the context of Senegal?

Senegal is a country rich in history, traditions, and cultural values. As in many societies, certain social issues are addressed with great sensitivity. As an artist, and living in a country where this topic can lead to imprisonment, I find it difficult to take a public stance on these debates.

My work consists, above all, of telling human stories, preserving memory, and creating spaces for dialogue where each person can reflect through art.

Why do you think it is important that all people are treated with respect, dignity, and equality, regardless of their identity or the person they love?

I firmly believe that every person deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. These are essential values for fostering dialogue, mutual understanding, and social cohesion. My artistic work seeks, above all, to remind us of our shared humanity and the importance of listening to each other's stories.

Do you think art and photography can help create dialogue and empathy between different communities?

Absolutely. Art has a unique ability to transcend linguistic, cultural, and social barriers. A photograph can evoke an immediate emotion and spark conversations that might otherwise be difficult to have.

Looking to the future

What projects are you currently working on?

I continue to develop several photographic projects on memory, the environment, heritage, and women's stories. I also work on projects that question our relationship with nature and contemporary social transformations. All of these allow me to continue an artistic reflection deeply rooted in African realities.

What changes would you like to see in Senegal over the next ten years?

I would like to see greater investment in education, culture, and the creative industries, as well as more freedom for everyone. I also hope that young artists will have more spaces to create, exhibit, and make a living from their work, while simultaneously promoting Senegalese cultural heritage.

Finally, what message would you like to share with the ELLA Global Community?

I would like to remind everyone that behind every country, every culture, and every community lie stories that deserve to be heard with curiosity and humility. Art invites us to overcome stereotypes and build bridges between people.

I hope that one day there will be a free world, where living freely is no longer considered a crime, and that each of us will contribute, in our own way, to that global conversation.