Each sunrise starts a new story. Every story has its own emotions, its light that needs to be captured. I traveled to Mongolia to capture those stories that were left for me by my ancestors. To find myself I went far north, above the mountains, below the clouds. Finding the people that living with their heritages. Finding places that accept them and nurture them. I captured the relationship between people and land, but in each photograph I take, the line is blurred. I started to see them as one. There was no line between them, there were only stories, the stories that needs to be told. This time I will be telling those stories, and this is my Mongolia.

PanoraMongolia:   (Sain uu)

The mother is the one who keeps the stories of her ancestors alive, she is the one who passes down the traditions and heritage of her people. She teaches her children the significance of their culture and history. Her eyes speak her wisdom, and her words make you feel the passion of her people. In her presence, you can feel the strength of her culture.

Photographer: Rizacan Kumas, 2022

#19 The Mother

A hearth in Mongolia... It's a symbol of home and comfort. It is a place where families gather to share stories and find warmth. The photograph captures the connection between the people and the land. Land provides the people with the resources they need to live, and the people take care of the land. 

Photographer: Rizacan Kumas, 2022

#20 The Hearth

A woman in Mongolia who is living her life with her heritage... She has a deep-rooted connection to her land and people. I was humbled to capture it. No matter what life throws at us, we can always find happiness in the simple things and smile. 

Photographer: Rizacan Kumas, 2022

#21 The Smile

The sense of unity inside the family notion is a significant phenomenon. When each family member manages to unite, this family creates a phenomenon of trust and love.

Photographer: Rizacan Kumas, 2022

#22 Unity

When we have expectations, we are setting ourselves up for disappointment. We are putting our faith in an idea or outcome that may not come to fruition. However, when we are in expectation, we also open ourselves up to the possibility of joy by allowing ourselves to hope for something. We open the door to endless possibilities. We create our reality through our expectations. 

Photographer: Rizacan Kumas, 2022

#23 The Expectation

Hope is why we wake up each day to a new story. It's a story with the potential to bring us closer to understanding ourselves and each other, a story that has the power to shine a light on the best and worst of us, a story that reminds us of the fragility and strength of the human spirit... The hope is that we never give up on the possibility of a better tomorrow.

Photographer: Rizacan Kumas, 2022

#24 The Hope

Transformation is often the story of adapting to change. It is a story about how our ancestors have adapted to the ever-changing world around them and how we can learn from the examples they set. This is a story about how we can find ourselves in the midst of change and how we can use our own stories to help others find themselves as well.

Photographer: Rizacan Kumas, 2022

#25 The Transformation

When we look at the world, we see the beauty and mystery of it all, but we also see the suffering and pain. We see the ugliness and violence. We see love and kindness, we see the light and the darkness. In all of this, we see the eyes of god. God's eyes are upon us; watching, waiting, hoping...

Photographer: Rizacan Kumas, 2022

#26 The Eyes of God

When we look at someone, we realize their eyes are the windows to their soul. We look into their essence and get a glimpse of who they are. With a simple gaze, we can share a moment of connection with another human being that is beyond words.

Photographer: Rizacan Kumas, 2022

#27 The Gaze

In life, we are all searching for connections. Whether it be with other people, animals, or even the land itself, we are constantly looking for ways to feel a sense of belonging. Friendship is the special bond between two, who found that connection with each other. It's a reminder that even though the world can be a big and scary place, we can all find our place in it if we take the time to search.

Photographer: Rizacan Kumas, 2022

#28 The Friendship

We should make use of all the resources and opportunities available to us. This includes both the physical resources of the land and the cultural resources of our heritage. In other words, we shouldn't use our land only for its resources, but also remember to appreciate and value the cultural traditions and knowledge that have been passed down to us.

Photographer: Rizacan Kumas, 2022

#29 Utilize

"The Defender" is about protecting what is most important to you. It could be your family, your friends, your home, or your way of life. Whatever it is, you are willing to fight for it. You are the defender.

Photographer: Rizacan Kumas, 2022

#30 The Defender

The horse symbolizes strength, while the child symbolizes innocence and purity. Together, they represent hope and possibilities for the future. The moment when the child first meets his horse, and the moment when their lives become intertwined is a moment of hope. It's when the world is still open with endless possibilities.

Photographer: Rizacan Kumas, 2022

#31 Growing

The horseman lives a nomadic lifestyle in Mongolia. He represents the connection between people and the land, and the stories that passed down for centuries. The horseman is a reminder of the past, the present, and the future.

Photographer: Rizacan Kumas, 2022

#32 The Horseman

The window of life is a view of the world through the prism of our own experience. It is a way of looking at the world that is filtered by our own emotions, thoughts, and beliefs. This view is often shaped by our culture, family, and personal history. The window of life is a way to see the world, which is unique to each person.

Photographer: Rizacan Kumas, 2022

#33 The Window of Life

It's like she's trying to grasp onto something from their past that they can no longer hold onto. Maybe she's trying to remember a time when things were easier and they had a clearer idea of who they were. Maybe they are reaching for something they have lost and can never get back. Either way, there is a sense of sadness and nostalgia that speaks to the universal human experience.

Photographer: Rizacan Kumas, 2022

#34 Reaching For The Past

The world is always behind us, pushing us forward into the unknown. But what if we could turn around and see it for what it is? Would we be able to see the beauty in the chaos, or would we be lost in the noise?

Photographer: Rizacan Kumas, 2022

#35 The One Behind You

There is always someone who knows more than us, who can guide us through the darkness and show us the way. They are the masters of their craft, the keepers of knowledge. While we may not always agree with them, or follow their every word, we must respect them for their experience and wisdom. Without them, we would be lost. 

Photographer: Rizacan Kumas, 2022