Marseille

As a symbol of immigration and with a large West African community I decided to travel to Marseille and work on a series that gives an intimate look in the lives of West African immigrants in the French Mediteranean city. I stayed at a friend's place in La Plaine in the center of Marseille, near the Noailles district where most West Africans live.

Wandering around the Noailles district made me feel in West Africa. There are West African shops, hairdressers, restaurants and night clubs. Phonehouses advertise with cheap phonecalls to Africa and music stores blast sounds of Youssou NDour, Fela Kuti and other African musicians into the streets. Especially in the evenings men and women meet in establishments with names like 'Chez Tata Doubei', 'Beaute des iles' or 'Chez Maman Africa'.

The Senegalese can be found 'chez Issa' or at 'Joy Us' listening to 'Mbalax' (Senegalese music) or at the Touba restaurant eating a 'thieboudienne' (fish with rice). Some of them finish their evening at 'chez Clementine': a clandestine bar where they can smoke ganja and eat grilled meat.