The murals of the bench houses are subject to the vagaries of the climate and do not resist the rainy season. These creations are all the more precious to Hans Silvester because they are ephemeral. He says, "The talent of the bench women really impressed me and continues to fascinate me. There are no patterns and, what's more, there are no repeats. [The quality of the paintings is astonishing, one can imagine the wonder of a Paul Klee if he had had the opportunity to see them. 

It was in Ethiopia, 600 km south of the capital, that Hans Silvester met the Bench, an ethnic group of farmers. The discovery of this people was almost by chance. Hans Silvester was on his way to the Omo Valley when he came across some painted houses. Curious and above all admiring, he put on his explorer's hat, and quickly realized that few people were interested in this culture. He describes the Bench people as "modest": no one owns more than 6 sheep. But the harmony in which they live touched the photographer's heart. It must be said that the animals are totally integrated into the daily life and create a very special atmosphere. Animals and people live in symbiosis, in complete freedom. 

Retour De Voyage selected this photograph for the geometry of the drawings, the harmony of the colors and of course for the hen who is an integral part of the decor!