In May 2016, photographer Thom Pierce spent eight days in the Semonkong highlands capturing the rawness of the majestic horsemen and women against the most astounding Lesotho background. Through his photographic medium, Pierce manages to blur the line between fine art, portrait, and documentary photography.
Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 1. Thabo Lekhotsa – Ha Lesala, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 2. Letima Tokata – Ha Sechache, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 3. Thapelo Moiloa with his dog Limo – Ha Salemore, Lesotho, 2016
The Semonkong region of Lesotho
In the Drakensberg Mountains, the Semonkong region of Lesotho of Africa comprises various small villages. Semonkong is nestled high up in the mountains, so the area is almost entirely inaccessible by car.
Some villages are close to four or five hours apart, so the local population has to find creative ways to move from one community to another. The villagers mostly utilize horses as their primary means of transport; the horses also come in handy for trading and herding.
Speaking about the process of taking the portraits, Pierce said1:
There was very little cellphone reception and no traffic. Every now and then someone would pass by and we would tell them about the project and possibly take a photograph. It was a very slow and calm process.
Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 4. Hlokomelang Motoko (8 years old) – Semonkong, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 6. Paleho Silase – Ha Bati, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 7. Tholonna Mopa – Semonkong, Lesotho, 2016
The Horsemen of Semonkong
The images speak for themselves without having to necessarily rely on text-based descriptions. The series contains a total of 42 photographs, and they consist of horsemen and women and young herders, as well as the commuters Pierce encountered during his journey. The blankets adorned by the subjects make such a strong visual statement that makes it is impossible to ignore them.
Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 8. Fusi Lekhotla – Ha Mateketa, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 9. Lehlohonolo Phethoka – Ha Molajafe, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 10. Thabang Ntomane – Ha Maluke, Lesotho, 2016
Analysis
His photographs engage the viewer almost immediately, and one cannot help but feel a connection with the men, women, and children that took part in the series.
The immediacy in his portraits grabs our attention to transfer such pertinent information within a nanosecond. With the proliferation of photographic images nowadays, it is often difficult for a photographer to captivate audiences within such a short time frame.
Initially it was just very striking as soon as you get over the border. It is just a different way of life. Within that kind of visual interest lies a much deeper story about the way the people live on a day to day basis, their livelihoods and ways of transport and working as well. The aesthetic tells a much deeper story.
Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 11. Chabeli Mothabeng – Semonkong, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 12. Fihlela Ramanyatsi – Semonkong, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 13. Bokang Lijo – Ketane, Lesotho, 2016
Conclusion
There is a quality to the portraits and the subjects that almost resemble knights of valor partly because of the blankets and balaclavas, but also because of the horses.
The combination of the horses and the stunning Lesotho landscape produces a product that is quite dramatic. Yet, there is a balance between the drama of the subjects and their horses and the exquisiteness of the landscape. The result is portraits that convey the majesty and pride of the people of Semonkong.
Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 14. Bokang Makhala – Ha Thabo, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 15. Thabo Ntoi – Ha Muahloli, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 16. Thabo Moso – Tsenekeng, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 17. Tseko Masotsa – Ha Lesale, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 18. Thabang Moholi – Ma Letsunyane, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 19. Shabe Shakhane – Ha Ramosoathoane, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 20. Teoho Malme – Ha Hlalele, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 21. Teboho Mokhele – Ha Lesale, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 22. Morolela Mosetako – Ha Matete, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 23. Motlatsi Lesenyetho – Ha Bati, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 24. Mokhabi – Semonkong, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 25. Tlali Tlali – Semonkong, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 26. Lilotho Ramalei – Ha Tsekane, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 27. Lucas Phethoka – Tsenekeng, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 28. Thabiso Tsietsi – Ha Mahluti, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 29. Taboho Pakara – Tsenekeng, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 30. Retselisitsoe – Semonkong, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 31. Mamasisi and Masisi Letsapo – Mohlakeng, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 32. Maphakela Kuenehelo – Semonkong, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 33. Rethabile Motsapi – Tsenekeng, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 34. Paulosi Lethibelani – Ketane, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 35. Khothatso Motake – Ketane, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 36. Mpho Khanyapa – Ketane, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 37. Motiki Lepheane – Semonkong, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 38. Motaba Motaba – Ha Seqhoasho, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 39. Mohlouoa Makafane – Ha Seqhoasho, Lesotho, 2016Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 40. Mohasoa Motoko – Semonkong, Lesotho, 2016
