Grins (Bamako, Mali, 2006)
 
In Africa the community spirit is not just a myth, even if its virtues are sometimes overestimated. In Bamako, Mali, the Grin is an omnipresent illustration, with men, women and children getting together regularly to chat in courtyards, on corners or beside a street stall. The Grin is the essence of relaxation: human, informal and democratic, with a dozen or two members who all have the right to speak and bring up topics for discussion. With or without a leader, there’s a clear sense of solidarity, even when the going gets passionate and tough.