Ambedkar (1891-1956) is unquestionably the most important symbol to Dalit ('untouchable') people. His portrait can be found wherever Dalits live. Among the key identifying symbols are his glasses, the Indian constitution under his left arm, the flag of India, and the Buddha
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Because of poverty and low social status, Dalit children have higher failure rates on official tests than children from higher groups. This privately-funded school helps Dalits via special classes and tutorials.
These low-caste boys are attending classes designed to them deal with inequalities in the official educational system.
In Hindu symbolism, the swastika dates back thousands of years, representing the four directions and the foursome of Dharma, wealth, desire and liberation. It is also used in advertising, as shown here.
These low-caste girls are attending classes designed to them deal with inequalities in the official educational system.
Shoppers and sales attendants, upscale Indian store
Given India's high population, stores often have more sales personnel than purchasers.
Women often carry their family's wealth in their jewelry. Stores like this attract many.
Payment of dowries to prospective husbands has become a major financial burden for many Indian families. This ad is 'modern' both by being in English and in its message.
Bus stop in South Africa with people in blankets
Cape Coast Castle is one of about forty "slave castles", or large commercial forts, built on the Gold Coast of West Africa (now Ghana) by European traders. It was originally built by the Swedes for trade in timber and gold, but later used in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Other Ghanaian slave castles include Elmina Castle and Fort Christiansborg. They were used to hold slaves before they were loaded onto ships and sold in the Americas, especially the Caribbean. This “gate of no return” was the last stop before crossing the Atlantic Ocean. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Coast_Castle)
Sign warning of landmines in South Sudan
Sign reads: "Stop! Danger Demining On Progress"
Ferry landing on the Kadéï River in Cameroon
Dutch inscription on a tomb in Elmina, Ghana
Fresco of St. George in the Church of Saint George, Lalibela, Ethiopia
Ghana Revolutionary discipline billboard
Sign reads: "God Never Sleep Ghana Alcoholic Distiller Akorabo Society P.O. Box 2 Akorabo"
English serves as South Sudan's official language. Given the high rate of illiteracy - an average of under 20% when this picture was taken - the spelling error is understandable.
Much of Ethiopia lies over a mile above sea level, meaning nights are cold. The women and girls in this market trade their handicrafts and other products to support their families.
This picture typifies rural markets throughout Africa. It was taken the day before President Kennedy was shot. The passage of time hasn't changed such market's structure and functioning, however.
A creative adaptation of modern technology to an age-old question of transporting loads
The cliffs, treacherous currents and waves combine to make this area picturesque
Non-functioning sink, University of Lagos guesthouse
Although Nigeria is one of the world's major producers of oil, much of the wealth it produces has been siphoned off by corruption, conflict and grandiose schemes. To get potable water at the University of Lagos guest house, I had to buy bottles at local markets
A new post office had just been opened in this village, leading to dance displays and even a radio reporter recording the music
A few hundred meters from this small market is located a UNESCO World Cultural Site: the monolithic churches of Lalibela. Located about 8200' above sea level, a 12th-century Ethiopian envisaged his village as a new Jerusalem.
Ethiopia underwent a bloody jilitary coup and revolution between 1974 and 1976, leading to the dictatorship of Mengistu Haile Mariam.
Both when this picture was taken and the present, girls attended school at significantly lower rates than boys
One of the first post-independence actions throughout Asia and Africa was to remove or repurpose monuments from countries' pre-independence periods. These mouldering statues of former French administrators fitting look toward the setting sun in Conakry
Why not use no-cost natural materials to build your house? This home has a palm thatch roof atop walls made of sun-dried earth
Early morning, Togo independent monument
The small West African republic of Togo honors in 1960 independence via this monument. It combines the silhouette of a struggling person with a woman carrying a star (a single star appears on the country's flag)
Tissisat (or, Blue Nile) Falls, Ethiopia
The Blue Nile rises in the highlands of Ethiopia. At these falls, it drops ~135', amply justifying the name of the river as 'smoking water.'
South Sudan's heat, poverty and low rates of literacy interact to make open-air schools an appropriate solution
One of the greatest issues faced by these sellers comes during the harvest. Because of the lack of electricity and refrigeration, tons of food rot each year. Ironically, an attempt by the Ghanian government to establish a ketchup factory failed a few years later
When it became independent in 1957, Ghana enjoyed substantial financial reserves, which were invested in numerous projects. The University was established in 1948, and subsequently expanded considerably. This tower, atop the highest point on the campus, dominates the area around
This house stands in Nigeria's 'Middle Belt,' a transition zone between moist rainforest and very dry parts of the Sahel. Everything was made from natural material, including the wall designed to keep out cattle and potentially deadly animals
Looming 3500 feet above the city of Cape Town, Table Mountain provides splendid views across the Cape Flats and the South Atlantic.
Women carrying firewood near Abuja Nigeria
In the world's poorest countries, country dwellers cook using firewood gathered locally. (Ironically, Nigeria has plenty of wealth from oil production, but practically none of it reaches rural areas.) Solar-power stoves remain expensive - and wood has become extremely hard to find near large villages. These women live close to Nigeria's capital Abuja, situated in the dry central part of the country.
This murky reservoir serves hundreds of Ethiopians, who live in Axum, the country's most sacred city. Without exception, the job of getting water falls on women, many of them pre-teen agers
Throughout tropical Africa, women dominate small-scale commerce, save for butchery and a few other areas. These Yoruba women show how easily Africans balance large loads on their heads, the best way to support heavy weights and ensure good posture.
At the time of this photo in 1973, practically no schools existed in Ethiopia's rural areas. Girls became involved in household tasks such as bringing water from wells, pumps or small reservoirs several times per day
Because of the day's heat, these Malawian children have clusteed together for shelter
Africans learn early in life to balance and carry loads effectively on their heads - even some highly unusual ones to Western eyes
Almost all of Africa has two seasons, wet and dry. This picture shows a typical scene during the 9-10 months when no rain falls.
Residents of South Sudan - as of 2014 the world's youngest and among its poorest countries - get their food in small rural markets of this sort. The site picture is in a suburb of the capital!
Queen Claude, the short-lived wife of Francois 1, had seven children before dying at age 24.
To reach the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere, those not wanting the hike or twisty drive can take this convenient tram
The basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere. Particularly its interior, shows an extravagant style of pious architecture.
Burg 015b South porch of Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvi?Àre Lyon with figures of Mary.JPG
The stairwells between the apse and crypt of Notre-Dame de Fourviere contain praise to the Virgin in dozens of languages
Burg 015c Stairway with Ave Maria in numerous languages Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvi?Àre Lyon.JPG
The Gallo-Roman museum in Lyon houses numerous top-quality mosaics from craftsmen of the first millennium, such as this fine example
Burg 017 Jeannette early Xian church mosaic Lyon Gallo Romain.jpg
France was a significant pioneer in providing bicycles for public access and short-term rentals
The old section of Lyon features vehicle-free cobbled streets, designed for strolling and displays of tempting merchandise
Similar to Punch and Judy shows, Grand Guignol puppeteers both amuse and frighten children with their displays of violence and reconciliation.
Burg 020 Grand Guignol puppets Old Lyon.JPG
The proprietor of this shop displays his most tempting items for casual walkers on this pedestrian-only street
Known as 'traboules,' these interior stairwells link buildings at many different levels and addresses. During World War II and the German occupation, the traboules became escape routes for maquisards, as the resistance fighters were known
Burg 022 Traboule stairway Lyon EXPLAIN.JPG
The grounds of Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvi?Àre provide a fine view over the city of Lyon and the Rhone. The site's defensive value was recognized centuries earlier.
Burg 015 Lyon from Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvi?Àre.JPG
This employee - or perhaps proprietor - keeps the pavement outside his shop neat
Burg 022a Proprietor sweeping street Old Lyon France.JPG
Located next to the Cathedral of St. Jean, this plain stone structure has been repurposed several times
Burg 025 Old building north of St. Jean Lyon.JPG
The cathedral is a good example of French Gothic styling. Construction stretched over three centuries. Most noteworthy is the old clock atop the east entrance, which announces each hour with a rooster crowing and angels blowing their trumpets
Burg 023 Lyon cathedral from west end.JPG
The large public square in front of the Cathedral of St. Jean is lively at all seasons with playing children, beer drinkers, and visitors waiting the hour to come and the clock to strike
Burg 026 In front of St. Jean cathedral Lyon France.JPG
Because of its pedestrian-friendly setting, Old Lyon features many sidewalk cafes well away from vehicles - though not from people walking by
This quiet hotel courtyard in the village of Autun once housed an Ursuline convent, disbanded during the Revolution
Burg 027a Medieval hotel courtyard Autun France.JPG
Gothic cathedral builders sought height, light and elegance in supporting arches. All are well exemplified in this interior
Burg 028 Interior arches Autun cathedral.JPG
This elegant design combines the slender lines of Gothic structures, curvilinearity, and hard stone worn over hundreds of years
Burg 029 Spiral staircase Autun cathedral.JPG
Featuring a façade and numerous other sculptures by the famous Gislebertus (active at Autun between ~1120 and 1135), the Autun Cathedral drew pilgrims headed to Santiago to Compostela in NW Spain for hundreds of years. Whether Gislebertus was the actual sculptor or the donor has been disputed, however. His name can be readily discerned with binoculars on the west tympanum.
Burg 030 West entrance Autun cathdral J and Trudi.JPG
This one-time stone and brick gate was one of Dijon's main entrances during the Roman empire. While the stone has weathered reasonably well, despite acid rain and other pollution, bricks inside the archway have been eroded significantly
Burg 031 Eroding bricks Roman gate Dijon.JPG
Lying on the main road between Paris and Lyon, Dijon occupies a strategic position. It was settled well before the Roman conquest. This gate protected the capital of the Roman province, whichlater became the capital of the dukes of Burgundy.
Three significant North African states fell under French colonial domination in the 19th century. From the mid 20th century on, cuisine from that area became popular with the French due to its low cost, tastiness and interesting spices
Burg 024 North African fast food Lyon.JPG
The conquest of Burgundy by France in 1477 led to near-total destruction of the ruling family's property. This huge base shows six Prophets, sculpted by Claus Sluter (1340-1405). It can be found in the center of a major psychiatric hospital.
Burg 033 Moses and David on Well of Moses Dijon.jpg
"Sens Cathedral (French: Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Sens) is a Catholic cathedral in Sens in Burgundy, eastern France. It was one of the earliest Gothic buildings in the country, and the largest of the early Gothic churches. The choir was begun in 1140. As was typical in cathedral construction work progressed westwards, building the nave, with the west front completed around 1200. The structure was finally completed in the 16th century. The architecture of its choir influenced, through the architect William of Sens, that of the choir of Canterbury Cathedral." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sens_Cathedral)
Entrance to the 16th century Jean Cousin home in Sens
Raclette is a hard cheese which is heated so the outer layer can be peeled off and eaten with bread.
Professor Ludwig at the source of the Seine
Medieval building reconstruction in France
These posters, on a wall near France's leading university, show conflicting emotions. They read, 'No to homosexual marriage and adoption!'
Burg 001a Anti-gay marriage posters Paris 2013.JPG
Paris is bisected by the River Seine. One of the easiest, loveliest ways to see parts of the city is via tour boats of this sort.
Burg 002 Bateau mouche with Notre Dame Paris.JPG
Notre Dame 850th anniversary welcome poster
Started in 1183, this iconic cathedral on an island is one of France's best-known sights. Surprisingly, much of its appearance dates from the 19th-century reconstruction by Viollet-le-Duc, a major advocate of Gothic style who didn't hesitate to alter buildings according to his own taste!
Burg 002a Notre Dame 850th anniversary welcome poster.JPG
Standing outside the famous English-language bookstore 'Shakespeare and Company,' this fountain once had cups attached for drinking. The bookstore became a center for writers such as James Joyce, Ernest Hemingway and Ezra Pound in the 1920s.
Burg 004 Old public fountain by Shakespeare and Company Paris.JPG