Seventeen years ago, Glen 'Dragon' De Souza founded the Keylemanjahro School of Arts and Culture on the island of Trinidad in the Caribbean. The school's mission was to revive the almost-forgotten West African tradition of the moko jumbie, or 'stilt-walker', and adopt it into the annual Carnival celebration. Not only would it restore a centuries-old tribal custom that had been squelched by colonialism and slavery, but De Souza dreamed it would also keep underprivileged children from street life and drugs. Today, more than one hundred moko jumbies - boys and girls from the age of four years old - practice at the Keylemanjahro School. Internationally recognized photographer Stefan Falke spent six years documenting these 'dancing spirits' of Trinidad. With rare power, he captures the vivid costumes and haunting beauty of the moko jumbie dances in over 200 dazzling colour photographs. Moko Jumbies: The Dancing Spirits of Trinidad celebrates the success of this spectacular movement that has not only enriched the lives of its participants and all the people who live and visit Trinidad, but also the enduring culture of the island itself. 200 illustrations
