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  7. The Afar Salt Miners Of The Danakil Depression

The Afar salt miners of the Danakil depression

by Ryan Houlihan (USA)

Ethiopia

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After the dromedaries are loaded with salt the Afar men trek 2 days to the market to sell their salt for only $0.20 a brick. As is allowed by their Islamic faith, most men have multiple wives and dozens of children. With such thin profits and large families to provide for there is no time to rest.
After the dromedaries are loaded with salt the Afar men trek 2 days to the market to sell their salt for only $0.20 a brick. As is allowed by their Islamic faith, most men have multiple wives and dozens of children. With such thin profits and large families to provide for there is no time to rest.
Dromedaries sit patiently on the exposed salt flats waiting to be loaded, their knees rubbed raw by the corrosive salt blanketing the valley. Once loaded, the salt bricks will remain on their backs for up to three days and nights as they make the journey to the salt market.
Dromedaries sit patiently on the exposed salt flats waiting to be loaded, their knees rubbed raw by the corrosive salt blanketing the valley. Once loaded, the salt bricks will remain on their backs for up to three days and nights as they make the journey to the salt market.
The Afar men cut slab after slab of salt into evenly shaped bricks while wearing what little protection they can afford. Drenched in salt and sweat they work tirelessly with hands and arms covered in cuts -- the pain and discomfort they overcome daily is a true testament to the strength of man.
The Afar men cut slab after slab of salt into evenly shaped bricks while wearing what little protection they can afford. Drenched in salt and sweat they work tirelessly with hands and arms covered in cuts -- the pain and discomfort they overcome daily is a true testament to the strength of man.
Up to 30 bricks of salt are loaded onto each dromedary. The weight of these loads is so heavy that these strong and sturdy animals can and will collapse under it. With no respite in the desert they are often left for dead; the salt caravans must always continue the push forward.
Up to 30 bricks of salt are loaded onto each dromedary. The weight of these loads is so heavy that these strong and sturdy animals can and will collapse under it. With no respite in the desert they are often left for dead; the salt caravans must always continue the push forward.
Danakil is one of the hottest places on earth averaging 34 C / 93 F and spiking up to 50 C / 122 F making the journey back and forth from the salt flats not only brutal but also treacherous. This poor dromedary collapsed on the side of the thoroughfare without warning. At least she can finally rest.
Danakil is one of the hottest places on earth averaging 34 C / 93 F and spiking up to 50 C / 122 F making the journey back and forth from the salt flats not only brutal but also treacherous. This poor dromedary collapsed on the side of the thoroughfare without warning. At least she can finally rest.

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