There are places that are deeply connected to my identity.
I WAS BORN IN CAMEROON, AFRICA, but grew up in the United States. I’m currently living a nomadic life after moving back to Africa to explore and document the continent long-term, which forced me to redefine what home actually means. Through this journey, I have learned that home for me is a feeling and I find it mostly in people, not a specific place. With that said, there are places that are deeply connected to my identity: Cameroon for my childhood memories and foundation as a person; the United States for my formative years; and now the road (and Africa in general), where I am currently evolving and becoming.
Africa is in dire need of rebranding and of being captured through inspired eyes. Africa also needs more Africans to tell the world her story. We haven’t always been at the center of our own narratives, but that is no longer the case thanks to the digital age. I wanted to be part of the rebrand by sharing my genuine experiences as a solo female traveler throughout the continent to empower and teach both Africans, and the world, how much beauty exists beyond stereotypes.
There are several misconceptions about being a tourist in Africa (including, but not limited to, violence, disease, and theft), which all stem from fear that results from a lack of adequate information. Think about it: does the world only ever see images of the United States represented by Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina or France after the Paris attacks? Is there a travel advisory issued for these countries because of those events? While they are very real and serious issues, they do not adequately represent the narrative of these countries. Through my work as a writer and photographer traveling in Africa, I hope to show the world that the same logic applies when considering travel to African nations.
LEE LITUMBE
