Author
Louise Smith
Probe Created
04 May 2009

Local representative

Name
Jane Onyango
Occupation
Indepedant Business Owner

Context of the cultural probe

The main part of this study was conducted through interaction with seven cultural representatives living on the same corridor in Kibera. With an estimated population of between 300,000 and 1 million people, Kibera is the largest slum in Africa. Despite its prominence, Kibera is one of the direst slums in the world, with incredibly flimsy housing, and mounds of trash and sewage comprising a prominent part of its visual impact. We chose to work within this area, because we expected it to reveal the widest range of barriers. The people living here are subjected to a high number of contextual barriers, yet also encounter the same barriers during their trip as do most of the residents of the city.

The cultural representatives were first asked to answer two introductory questions about their morning rituals and the difficulties they face during travel to work. They were then given single-use cameras, and asked to photographically document their typical day. Following the collection of the cameras and photo processing, we returned to their homes to interview them again. They explained their photographs to us, and answered questions from a questionnaire that we developed to gather information about the specific activities and barriers during travel to and from work. The focus on this part of the research was to gain a complete overview of the barriers and rituals in the lives of these individua

 

 

Events

Begin the Day

Jane wakes up at __ am, before her husband and son, to prepare the house, and finish her personal chores.


Bible Study

Jane's first activity of the day is to read the Bible, in her own words studying "the word of the Lord". The position of this activity as the first event in the day, carried out alone before her family is awake, clearly demonstrates her priorities. Religion is a major and integral part of her daily life.


Personal Morning Prayer

Bible study is followed by a personal prayer. Her choice to photograph both aspects of this morning ritual strengthens our understanding of the role that religion plays in her life.


Waking her son

Jane wakes her son.


Waking her son

He does want to get up.


Shared prayer with her son

Jane shares a morning prayer with her son. She feels that it is very important that he knows the Lord.


Jane 13

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Jane 14

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Jane 15

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Jane 16

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Jane 17

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Jane 18

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Jane 19

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Jane 20

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Jane 21

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Jane 22

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Jane 23

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Jane 24

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Jane 25

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