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See 15 Images of Wondrous West Africa From the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

Journey to Benin, Togo, Burkina Faso and many more nations through this gallery of the people, culture and wildlife of the region

A teenage young African boy sits in a empty windowsill
A teenage young African boy sits in a empty windowsill
A child’s grin stretches from ear to ear in Bani. Matjaz Krivic, Burkina Faso, 2015

Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries

See 15 Images of Wondrous West Africa From the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

Journey to Benin, Togo, Burkina Faso and many more nations through this gallery of the people, culture and wildlife of the region

Photographs selected by Allison Scates

A teenage young African boy sits in a empty windowsill
A child’s grin stretches from ear to ear in Bani. Matjaz Krivic, Burkina Faso, 2015
From afar, the diverse people of West Africa may seem to belong to one culture or tribe. However, with more than 100 ethnic groups in Ghana and upwards of 300 in Nigeria, where 500-plus languages are spoken, each country is distinct. Still, they are united by geography and in other significant ways. Oral traditions, cooking techniques, textile manufacturing and other practices are just some of the things that unify the many countries and varied people that comprise West Africa. It would take more than a few passports to collect stamps from each country in the region, but luckily, you can enjoy a virtual visit to a few of those nations now. Take a look.
A goat peeks from behind a tree
A goat peeks from behind a tree in a sparsely wooded area of Lompoul. Geraint Rowland, Senegal, 2017
Black and white photo of African people jumping at beach
Spectators in Guinea, officially a French-speaking country, gather to watch acrobats practice before the annual celebration of the Fête de la Mare (Pond Festival), organized to help raise awareness about the preservation of ponds and water management. Cappy Phalen, Guinea, 2016
A motorcycle next to a hut
Various types of foliage, including intricately braided stalks, are used to create these modest shelters in Lagos. Boluwatiwi Adenuga, Nigeria, 2022
A African mother holds her young son at the beach
A mother holds her son above the lapping waves of the ocean on the shores of Fuvemeh. Antonio Pérez, Ghana, 2021
African fisherman on a small boat
Before the sun fully rises, men take to their boats—preparing hot tea over an open flame—to begin their day of fishing. Matjaz Krivic, Mauritania, 2014
Masquerade dancers rest during the Egungun ceremony
Masquerade dancers rest during the Egungun ceremony, when spirits of the dead are believed to visit. Elena Bobrova, Benin, 2018
An African man with a headlamp at night
Some miners in Bani, where gold has been found, prefer to work at night, when temperatures are cooler. Matjaz Krivic, Burkina Faso, 2015
A teenage young African boy sits in a empty windowsill
A West African person undergoes an optical exam. Antonio Aragon, Togo, 2018
African fishermen stand atop boats at sunrise
Just before nightfall, fishermen at Bojo Beach steer their boats back to shore. Charlotte Kunstmann, Ghana, 2024
2 young African girls stand with trays on their heads
Young girls in colorful garments peddle products that they carry on their heads in Sognaayili. Cynthia Hofmann, Ghana, 2023
A small white monkey in the grass
A monkey explores its environment at Jos Wildlife Park, in the Plateau State. Renni Becky, Nigeria, 2021
3 African men pose in a field
Nigeria is home to more than 300 ethnic groups and more than 500 languages. Ebuka Mordi, Nigeria, 2018
An African man rides a horse on a empty beach
A rider trots along the shore. Danielle Agyemang, Gambia, 2022
A elderly African woman sits outside her house
An elderly woman, dressed in immaculate white, spends the afternoon on her porch in Bandajuma. Louis Charpentier, Sierra Leone, 2017

Tracy Scott Forson is a senior editor at Smithsonian magazine.

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