Wild Horses, Cowboys, and a Romani Festival

[Editor’s note: While The Uncommon District is passionate about our nation’s capital and focuses almost exclusively on the DMV, we occasionally seek joy in places beyond our borders. This is one of those times!]

In May, I attended a photo workshop in the Camargue, which is sometimes referred to as the “Wild West of France.” The Camargue region is known for the city of Arles as well as for its marshlands, wild horses, flamingos, and even cowboys. In late May of each year, it is also the site of a Romani festival. My photo group was there to capture it all.

Wild Horses

The Camargue is known for its wild horses that run freely through the marshes. Our group donned waders to get shots of them in the water. We also braved the region’s extremely thirsty mosquitoes (not pictured, though they were large enough that my camera occasionally focused on them).

The horses sometimes tussle, and we weren’t entirely sure if they were playing or fighting.

French Cowboys?

I, for one, was surprised to hear that France has its own cowboys, called the gardians. They are the caretakers of the wild horses.

We had the opportunity to photograph Gerard. He traveled to Montana to learn how to use a lasso.

The Bulls

The gardians are also the custodians of the region’s bulls. No bulls (or photographers) were injured while taking these photos.

Flamingos

Flamingos are another of the Camargue’s claims to fame. They get their pink color by eating brine shrimp. We saw them fairly early in the season, so their color was relatively muted.

The Festival

In late May, Romani people from across Europe travel to the seaside town of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer to honor their saint, Sara-la-Kali (Black Sara), with a two-day festival. It begins with a church service that features a statue of Black Sara clothed in a new handmade dress each year.

This is followed by a procession through town, with celebrants carrying Sara’s statue. The gardians lead the way on horseback.

There is dancing and music along the parade route.

On the second day, the people of Arles march in all their finery.

And each day, the procession ends with a walk on a very sandy beach…

…followed by a dip the Mediterranean.

My very favorite moment of the trip was when I was standing up to my ankles in the warm Mediterranean water, singing the old Italian standard “Volare” with dozens of new friends.