6 min read1 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 5. Lebohang Monyamane – Letseng, Lesotho, 2016
Introduction
In May 2016, photographer Thom Pierce1 spent eight days in the Semonkong highlands capturing the rawness of the majestic horsemen and women against the most astounding Lesotho2 background. Through his photographic medium, Pierce manages to blur the line between fine art, portrait, and documentary photography.
2 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 1. Thabo Lekhotsa – Ha Lesala, Lesotho, 20163 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 2. Letima Tokata – Ha Sechache, Lesotho, 20164 Thom 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 Africa3 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 said45:
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.
5 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 4. Hlokomelang Motoko (8 years old) – Semonkong, Lesotho, 20166 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 6. Paleho Silase – Ha Bati, Lesotho, 20167 Thom 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.
8 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 8. Fusi Lekhotla – Ha Mateketa, Lesotho, 20169 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 9. Lehlohonolo Phethoka – Ha Molajafe, Lesotho, 201610 Thom 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 portraits6 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.
11 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 11. Chabeli Mothabeng – Semonkong, Lesotho, 201612 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 12. Fihlela Ramanyatsi – Semonkong, Lesotho, 201613 Thom 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.
14 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 14. Bokang Makhala – Ha Thabo, 201615 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 15. Thabo Ntoi – Ha Muahloli, Lesotho, 201616 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 16. Thabo Moso – Tsenekeng, Lesotho, 201617 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 17. Tseko Masotsa – Ha Lesale, Lesotho, 201618 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 18. Thabang Moholi – Ma Letsunyane, Lesotho, 201619 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 19. Shabe Shakhane – Ha Ramosoathoane, Lesotho, 201620 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 20. Teoho Malme – Ha Hlalele, Lesotho, 201621 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 21. Teboho Mokhele – Ha Lesale, Lesotho, 201622 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 22. Morolela Mosetako – Ha Matete, Lesotho, 201623 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 23. Motlatsi Lesenyetho – Ha Bati, Lesotho, 201624 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 24. Mokhabi – Semonkong, Lesotho, 201625 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 25. Tlali Tlali – Semonkong, Lesotho, 201626 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 26. Lilotho Ramalei – Ha Tsekane, Lesotho, 201627 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 27. Lucas Phethoka – Tsenekeng, Lesotho, 201628 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 28. Thabiso Tsietsi – Ha Mahluti, Lesotho, 201629 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 29. Taboho Pakara – Tsenekeng, Lesotho, 201630 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 30. Retselisitsoe – Semonkong, Lesotho, 201631 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 31. Mamasisi and Masisi Letsapo – Mohlakeng, Lesotho, 201632 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 32. Maphakela Kuenehelo – Semonkong, Lesotho, 201633 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 33. Rethabile Motsapi – Tsenekeng, Lesotho, 201634 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 34. Paulosi Lethibelani – Ketane, Lesotho, 201635 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 35. Khothatso Motake – Ketane, Lesotho, 201636 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 36. Mpho Khanyapa – Ketane, Lesotho, 201637 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 37. Motiki Lepheane – Semonkong, Lesotho, 201638 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 38. Motaba Motaba – Ha Seqhoasho, Lesotho, 201639 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 39. Mohlouoa Makafane – Ha Seqhoasho, Lesotho, 201640 Thom Pierce – The Horsemen of Semonkong – 40. Mohasoa Motoko – Semonkong, Lesotho, 2016
