Huwelijksstoet met kamelen in Egypte c. 1870 - 1890

The Zangaki brothers captured this photograph, "Wedding procession with camels in Egypt," using an albumen print. As we gaze at the elaborately adorned camels and the people gathered around them, we're invited to consider how photography, during this period, played a role in shaping Western perceptions of the East. The photograph romanticizes Egyptian culture, focusing on exotic elements like camels and traditional clothing, potentially overlooking the complexities of everyday life. Who gets to tell the story? Whose perspective is centered? The photograph invites reflection on cultural exchange, representation, and the power dynamics inherent in the act of capturing and sharing images across different cultures. What does it mean to witness a wedding through a colonial lens? The photograph opens a space for critical dialogue, encouraging us to consider multiple viewpoints and the complex relationships between image, identity, and history.