The Island of Príncipe

Unveiling Sustainability and Cultural Preservation: My Photographic Journey with HBD in Príncipe

Nestled in the Atlantic Ocean, the captivating island of Principe holds a rich history shaped by the first Portuguese settlers. These intrepid sailors established thriving trade systems, and amidst their ventures, they utilised the island as a testing ground for innovative agricultural and environmental experiments. The island presents it self as a living remnant of these Jesuit experiments. It is a testament to their forward-thinking approach, sought to understand the behaviour of the island’s flora and fauna, ensuring a sustainable supply of food and water from different continents to make sure it would provide better resources for their expeditions across the seven seas and safeguarding the island’s precious resources for generations to come. This remarkable legacy of exploration and preservation has left an indelible mark still present on the island of Principe.

The year of 2013 marked another significant chapter in my photographic journey in São Tomé & Principe. This time, I was invited by the organisation of HBD, Here Be Dragons, to document their ambitious project centred around this remote island. The project’s focus was on developing the island’s infrastructure, preserving its unique fauna and flora, and fostering a sustainable and culturally vibrant community preserving the old infrastructures that still remain from the old and vast Portuguese Empire.

The kick-start and one of the memorable events during this occasion was the solar eclipse at the historic Roça Sundy. Paulo Crawferd, a renowned theoretical physicist and retired professor from the Faculty of Science at the University of Lisbon, and Claudio Moises Paulo, an Astrophysicist and coordinator of Astronomers Without Borders from Mozambique, played pivotal roles. With lifelong passions for Relativity theory, Cosmology, and the dissemination of Einstein’s work, they conducted a groundbreaking explanation and follow-through of this unique event. It marked the 94th year since the original experiment in 1919, in the exact same location, by Arthur Eddington and Sir Frank Dyson, with the support of Frederico Tomás Oom, Sub-director of the Astronomical Observatory of Lisbon. This experiment validated Einstein’s theory of Relativity, demonstrating the profound impact of gravity on the trajectory of light. This momentous occasion allowed me to witness the harmonious convergence of scientific exploration, celebrating an experiment that took place in the early 20th century.

Exploring Principe: Capturing the Legacy of Pioneering Sustainable Preservation

In addition to experiencing this incredible moment, I had the privilege of exploring the island’s rich heritage by covering each activity organised by HBD, a remarkable initiative focused on the sustainability and promotion of this remarkable place and its environmental consciousness. This experience provided a stark contrast to my previous work in sub-Saharan Africa, where I often documented the hardships of poverty, famine, and displacement. In Principe, I discovered a different facet of the human journey in Africa, where the distance from development and heavy-tourism was able to provide positivism, resilience, and allow the preservation of cultural and nature heritage to prevail. It was a refreshing perspective that added depth and nuance to my photographic portfolio, allowing me to showcase the island’s unique blend of natural beauty and vibrant community spirit while staying in the majestic BomBom Island Resort.

BomBom Island Resort

As a photographer, it is a privilege to be able to bounce between chaos and paradise, capturing the spirit of this pioneering project, immersing myself in the island’s enchanting landscapes and uncovering the tales of its resilient inhabitants with the help of the amazing anthropology work by Rita Alves, the power of persistence by Manuel Gomes with his master stone masonry school and the passion for biology and agricultural engineer by Estrela Matilde and Francesca Orlandi. All of these HBD workers showed me their amazing work and commitment, it was astonishing.