Cova da Moura, Portugal - Susan Meiselas

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Cova da Moura, Portugal, 2004.

It was not surprising to be seen with suspicion as I walked the streets of Cova da Moura. I was a stranger and although no one directly asked if I was a cop, clearly they wondered. Why was I so interested in the daily life there, if it were not to inform on them?

This little enclave of Cape Verde islanders on the outskirts of Lisbon has a strong sense of community. I think of streets as public spaces, but in Cova they are private domains. Each corner has a distinct personality. Certain crossroads are to be avoided.

(From Espelho Meu/Mirror Mirror: Portugal As Seen By Magnum Photographers, 2005)

Notebook, 2004.

The Corner, Cova de Moura, Portugal, 2004.

Cova de Moura, Portugal, 2004

Fátima and Beatriz, Cova de Moura, Portugal, 2004

Street life, Cova de Moura, Portugal, 2004

Cova de Moura, Portugal, 2004

Keila braided for a rave, Cova de Moura, Portugal, 2004

Cova de Moura, Portugal, 2004

Jose and Ariana, Cova de Moura, Portugal, 2004

As I wandered around, I felt the stare of eyes from apartments above, while others averted mine as I passed through narrow alleyways. It was days before a young man called out to take his picture. Though he had a camera cell phone that he was proud to show me, he clearly had never watched a Polaroid print develop in his own hands. The moment he recognized himself, I signed the picture and added his name. It was just a beginning, but I was no longer trespassing.

Cova de Moura, Portugal, 2004