Photography by Tafari is a Detroit, MI based professional photographer brand offering a range of portrait, event, lifestyle, drone, and wedding photography services.
Specializing in highlighting African American / Black Life.
Tafari, is a Detroit African American photographer / Black photographer with over 15 years of professional photography experience.
Voyage to Bolgatanga is an ethnographic research and multimedia storytelling project that explores the lives, traditions, and resilience of rural textile artisans—specifically basket weavers—in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Centered in the municipality of Bolgatanga, this study focuses on the experiences of Gurune (Frafra) women whose work sustains families, preserves cultural heritage, and contributes to the global artisan economy.
Through interviews, site visits, supply chain documentation, and cultural immersion, the project seeks to understand how these women draw strength from ancestral knowledge and collective labor to maintain their homes, empower their communities, and share their artistry with the world.
Weaving is not just an economic activity in Bolgatanga—it is a living tradition. The craft sustains nearly 80% of the local economy, and its knowledge is passed down orally from one generation to the next. In this way, weaving serves as both livelihood and legacy.
Objectives:
– Document the life cycle of the Bolga basket—from raw material harvesting to final sale.
– Highlight the lived experiences of women artisans, particularly widows and mothers who use weaving to fund school fees, farming, and household needs.
– Assess environmental and labor risks associated with elephant grass collection and the increasing cost of materials due to land scarcity.
– Capture oral histories, daily routines, and spiritual practices through formal interviews, field photography, and immersive storytelling.
– Support visibility for cultural leaders like Prosper Agesine and Big Momma, who facilitate intergenerational craft preservation.
2026 Project Components:
– Field study and participant observation
– Oral history interviews and translation support
– Visual documentation (film and photography)
– Cultural and geographic immersion
– Observation of basket production supply chains
– Community relationship-building and reciprocal engagement
Deliverables:
– A professionally edited short film highlighting the artistry and lives of the weavers
– A photography and textile exhibition showcasing their work and cultural significance
– An online platform for sharing the stories, images, and film with a global audience
Why Me / Why Now
I am a professional photographer and cultural documentarian with deep ties to Ghana, having spent extensive time in Bolgatanga during the COVID-19 pandemic and afterward. My relationships are not transactional—they’re familial. I return not as a tourist but as a trusted listener, a witness, and a collaborator. This project emerges from lived experience and mutual exchange—not detached observation.
The story began by chance, but its impact continues to grow. The time to document this is now, before gentrification, market forces, and generational gaps alter it beyond recognition.
This project is currently self-funded. To complete the next phase of research, documentation, and public presentation, Voyage to Bolgatanga seeks support from community-based funders, private donors, and non-academic grants. Your support helps elevate indigenous voices, preserve traditional knowledge, and honor the labor of women whose work is often under-recognized yet globally impactful.
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Estimated Budget: $7,500
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| Expense Item | Description | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Airfare | Roundtrip: USA → Accra, Accra → Tamale | $1,900 |
| Visa Fees | Ghana entry visa | $100 |
| Ground Transportation | Buses, taxis, and local travel | $300 |
| Lodging | Accommodations in Accra & Bolgatanga | $1,700 |
| Local Guides (2) | Translation, village access, cultural liaison | $300 |
| Video Editing | Professional short film post-production | $800 |
| Weaver Stipends | Compensation for additional documentation time | $300 |
| Camera Equipment | Gimbal for video stabilization | $700 |
| M&IE | Meals & Incidentals (21 days x $70/day) | $1,400 |
How Your Support Makes a Difference:
By funding Voyage to Bolgatanga, you are:
Let’s bring visibility to the artistry, dignity, and enduring strength of Bolgatanga’s women weavers—together.
