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 George Zenko

Agara


In the mountains of Georgia, 20km north of the Turkish border is the small village of Agara. Predominantly a country of Christian Orthodox, the Muslim villagers had managed to carve out an identity for themselves even during the Soviet Union - and yet, the isolation and alienation of the villagers has always been an issue. Now under 200 people live in the village, and their way of life is slowly fading away.

After finishing their studies in the village, many of the youth choose to move toward the inner-cities for work and a more modern way of life. Those who stay behind, live off the land, as their parents and grandparents did - most having to work in Turkey in seasonal jobs to suppliment their incomes.

This projects explores the nomadic lives of those who chose to stay behind and documents a dissapearing way of life.

Bachano and the family horse in the mountains above the family house. May 2018 Maka works as a nurse at the village GP. Because of how remote the region is, the GP is also shared by the surrounding 4 villages. May 2018 Kids skip lessons to play football in the old Soviet gymnasium opposite the 'new' school. May 2018 Cow in the family barn. May 2018 Villagers harvest plants and hay in the mountains. October 2018 Maya in the barn. May 2018 Kids in the 'new' school play on the floor during the lesson. October 2018 Saaba sits in the old Soviet family truck overlooking his grandad Shaklo and the family horse. May 2018 Bachano and his friends smile on the staircase as they're about to take recess break. Because of the small population, some of the villages only have primary/elementary schools. May 2018 One of the villagers overlooks the mountain region after inviting me out for a hunt to catch food for his family. October 2018 Invited in by one of the locals. May 2018 Saaba with toy gun. May 2018 Maya changes Emily's diaper while her son Bachano finishes his homework. May 2018 A bandolier with ammunition, sits on a table next to washing powder, cigarettes and a lighter. October 2018 Different shoes on the front porch of the family home. October 2018 A view of the Adjarian mountainous landscape - a daily view for the locals. March 2018 Scene in the family living room. May 2018 Maya breastfeeds her daughter Emily in the living room. May 2018 The families mountain hut surrounded by the hills of the Adjarian region. Lacking pastures, the Georgian villagers herd their cows here in the summer and stay until late autumn. The bottom floor of the house is essentially a barn, with us staying on the first floor, and kept warm by the residual heat of the cows beneath us. October 2018 A young calf in the family barn. May 2018 Saaba and his classmate wave goodby from the back of the family Lada Niva. October 2018

Running on Cargo