Herve Martiak

20/08/2026

😉 “Ifoto nziza ni iyivugira yonyene ubwayo ata majambo arinze kujako”

🥳 📸 Ba gafotozi, nk'ubu mwamenye ko turi ku musi mpuzamakungu wahariwe ishusho (photographie) ? Uhimbazwa buri tariki 19 Myandagaro. Muri iyo ntumbero, Yaga yabateguriye kubasangiza inkuru y’urugendo rw'umwe mu bahinga bafata amafoto mu Burundi, ari no mu batanga amanota mw'ihiganwa Neza Prize riteguwe na Yaga ifadikanije na UNICEF Burundi. Kurikira 👇🏾

😎 “Nitwa Hervé Shabani, mba mu gisagara ca Bujumbura. Ndi umumenyeshamakuru ashikiriza inkuru mu mashusho, nkongera nkaba uwukora inkuru ndende mu mashusho (photo-documentaliste).

Navukiye mu muryango urwiriyemwo abafata amashusho, nanje nca mbandanirizako ntangura gufata amashusho y'imanza. Mu 2020 niho natangura gukora ubundi buryo bw'amashusho butamenyerewe, nkora urukwirikirane rw'amashusho rutanga inkuru kanaka (photo-journalisme, photo-documentaire) gushika n'uno musi nivyo ndiko ndakora.

Kuri jewe, ishusho nziza ni iyivuga yonyene ubwayo ata majambo arinze kujako, ikora ku mutima w'uwuyiravye utarinze kuyivugako vyinshi.

Uno musi aho abantu bihendera mu kubona ko uwo ari we wese ashoboye gufata ishusho, ntibamenya ko gufata ishusho atari ugufyonda n'urutoke gusa ku cuma, ahubwo ni ahanini ijisho ry'umuntu ku buryo abona inkuru agomba gushikiriza mw'ishusho yiwe.

Urwaruka wese afise indoto yo kuba gafotozi, ntacike intege abandanye akora. Ntashire imbere kubura ibikoresho kuko na terefone ubu irashobora gufotora. Binashobotse yofata amashusho 100 ku musi, kuko uko afata menshi niko amaso yiwe aguma yuguruka akabona n'ibindi bintu bishasha. Ikindi, ni vyiza ko uwugitangura agira uwumufata ukuboko mu kumwigisha (mentor).

Nk'uwutanga amanota mw'ihiganwa Neza Prize, nabonye ko mu Burundi hari ingabire nyinshi cane mu gufata amashusho. Zikwiye gushigikirwa na rirya igihugu kugira kimenyekane amashusho meza avuga igihugu abifisemwo uruhara. Ndashimiye Yaga na UNICEF Burundi kuri iki gikorwa ciza co gutanga urubuga kuri izi ngabire” 👏🏾

😊 Hervé Shabani ni umwe muri batatu batanga amanota mw’ihiganwa Neza Prize, uyu mwaka ryisunze gufata amashusho. Iryo higanwa ryateguwe na Yaga irikumwe na UNICEF Burundi.

31/07/2026

04/07/2026

« HER LIGHT »
Pendant des années, Christine Nduwimana a dû faire face aux préjugés liés à son albinisme. Mais elle a refusé de laisser le regard des autres définir sa valeur et son avenir.
Aujourd’hui, à 26 ans, elle vit pleinement sa vie sur les collines de Mboza. En tant qu’épouse et mère de deux enfants, Christine assume ses responsabilités quotidiennes avec une grâce et une force remarquables.

Très consciente de ses besoins physiques face au soleil, elle navigue dans son environnement avec soin grâce à l’usage d’ombrelles et de vêtements protecteurs, démontrant une autonomie exemplaire pour veiller sur sa famille.

À travers cette série intitulée « Her Light », j’ai voulu raconter l’histoire d’une femme au-delà de sa peau. Une histoire de dignité, d’amour et de force tranquille.

Ces trois tirages de cette série ont été présentés dans le cadre du projet collectif « Au-delà de la peau », lors de l’exposition organisée par Lens Connect Africa en collaboration avec Albinos Sans Frontières à Bujumbura.

02/07/2026

Celebrating Burundi’s 64 years of independence. A remarkable day showcasing our history, culture, and the enduring spirit of unity. A privilege to document the celebrations and the incredible energy of the people at Stade Intwari.



©️2026 Herve Shabani for Getty Images

14/06/2026

Merci à Yaga 🙏🏾

11/06/2026

World Cup 2026: The journey begins in Kinama.
The 2026 World Cup has officially kicked off tonight with Mexico taking on South Africa (2-0). While the world’s eyes are on the big stadiums, this is how the opening match felt from inside a local video cabin (salle de match) here in Kinama, Bujumbura.

With limited options for home broadcasts, everyone crowds into these small neighborhood spaces, packed together in the dark. The only real light comes from the screen, reflecting on the faces of fans who are completely locked into the game. From the youth sneaking a peek from outside to the intense focus in the room, the raw passion for football on our streets is just unmatched.

This is the first chapter of documenting how the tournament lives across Burundi from the opening whistle to the final.

09/06/2026

From the Streets to the Gallery: “ACCEPTATION”

On June 5th and 6th, my documentary series ACCEPTATION was officially on display at the INGANJI Festival. This work is an important chapter inside my long-term visual initiative, the Kinama Stories Project.

It was an incredible opportunity to bring the raw, daily reality of Kinama closer to the eyes of the art community and the public. Seeing people stand in front of these photographs, reading about how Phillipe and his wife navigate severe struggles with food and rent, yet choose to embrace their reality, protect their dignity, and live in love and peace was a deeply moving experience for me as a storyteller.
Special thanks to the INGANJI Festival team for this platform, and to every guest who took the time to share their thoughts with me. The journey of telling our community’s stories continues.

27/05/2026

EID AL-ADHA 2026 IN KINAMA: SACRIFICE, COMMUNITY, AND THE SACRED BOND

On May 27, 2026, the streets and courtyards of the Kinama neighborhood in Bujumbura transformed into spaces of profound devotion and collective unity as the community gathered to celebrate Eid al-Adha. The air was filled with a spirit of devotion as families and neighbors joined hands in the sacred ritual of the sacrifice (Udhiyah), a timeless practice that goes far beyond the act itself.

From the quiet, focused moments of preparation and the precise distribution of the meat, to the vibrant street portraits of families in their finest clothing, every corner of the neighborhood reflected a shared commitment to generosity. Young and old stood side by side, ensuring that the essence of the day looking out for one another and ensuring no one is left behind was honored fully.

The day culminated around shared platters, where the fruits of the sacrifice brought people together, sealing the celebration with laughter, gratitude, and deep connection. Despite the everyday complexities of urban life, these moments remind us of the powerful threads that hold a community together.



© 2026 Herve Shabani all rights reserved

02/05/2026

During my days in Uvira DRC, I had the opportunity to meet and speak with several Wazalendo, many of whom hold junior ranks such as C4.

In our conversations, they shared the complex reasons behind their journey. Some joined the ranks out of a deep sense of patriotism to fight for their nation. Others joined to escape the mistreatment and physical discipline from within the movement itself, seeking respect through the uniform.

I chose to capture them in their daily environment to show the human side of these choices. Beyond the conflict, these images capture young men cook a meal, reflecting, and navigating the weight of their reality.

It’s a story of youth, sacrifice, and the weight of a nation’s future.



©️2026 Herve Shabani all right reserved

29/04/2026

Celebrating my 7th year on Facebook. Thank you for your continuing support. I could never have made it without you. 🙏🤗🎉