Salt Harvesting

In Sine-Soloum Delta, west Senegal, the local people harvest salt like they did for several hundred years. They dig small fields in the soil and through tiny channels let water come in. After that it takes about 20 days for the water to dry and salt layer to be created. The salt is then harvested by mostly women and kids by a piece of an old damaged shifter. First they gather small heaps of salt which they then transfer by small buckets on their heads to the border of the field. From there, they pack the salt into bags and sell it directly to one of dealers. They receive a payment of about 2,5 Euro for a 25kg bag of salt. Dealers then bring the salt on small carts to the nearby main highway to sell it in big amounts to salt companies from Senegal and Mali. Special thanks goes to Annelise Jackbo who helped me with editing the photos.

Equipment: Nikon D700, Nikon 17-35mm/f2.8, Nikon 50/f1.8, Nikon 80-200 f/2.8 D

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Working On Salt Field, Salt Harvesting, Senegal

Working On Salt Field

Harvesting Salt, Salt Harvesting, Senegal

Harvesting Salt

Harvesting Salt, Salt Harvesting, Senegal

Harvesting Salt

Transporting Salt, Salt Harvesting, Senegal

Transporting Salt

Salt Field, Salt Harvesting, Senegal

Salt Field

Salt Harvester, Salt Harvesting, Senegal

Salt Harvester

Kid On A Salt Field, Salt Harvesting, Senegal

Kid On A Salt Field

Breaking Down Salt Layer, Salt Harvesting, Senegal

Breaking Down Salt Layer

Harvesting Salt, Salt Harvesting, Senegal

Harvesting Salt

Old Lady On A Salt Field, Salt Harvesting, Senegal

Old Lady On A Salt Field