This image is part of a series called Backyard Kids, which explores the role of simple, everyday objects in shaping communities and relationships across west Africa. The plastic straw mat is one such item that holds great cultural significance, symbolising unity and daily life for people of different religions and tribes.
My earliest memory of a mat like this is tied to my grandmother, who would ask me to bring it out to the backyard of my childhood home in Liberia. She would lie on it in the shade, and those quiet moments became the foundation for this series. The name Backyard Kids reflects those memories and the sense of home and community the mat represents.
The mat serves many purposes: it’s used for praying, eating, playing or simply resting. It holds meaning in every household and across communities, and when I was preparing for this shoot, I knew I wanted the images to evoke a sense of familiarity.
In this photo, facing two people in the same direction reflects how the mat often brings people together, whether for prayer, conversation or relaxation. The unity of their posture symbolises the idea that: “If you want to go far, you go together.”
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I took this photo in Nanakrom, a diverse community in Accra, Ghana, where I was living at the time. The mat’s presence in the image isn’t just about its utility but about the shared moments it fosters. I wanted this photo to speak to the good that comes from unity, care and the power of shared spaces. I deliberately chose models from diverse backgrounds: Christina Kenneth, on the left, is Nigerian; and Elizabeth Adusei is Ghanaian. Together we represent four of the 17 west African countries where this mat is commonly used.
Through this series, I hope to capture the sense of belonging and togetherness that defines these moments.
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Born inIvory Coast and based in Accra, Ghana, Cianeh Kpukuyou is a self-taught Liberian photographer whose work explores identity, community and cultural heritage. Follow her on Instagram
