Honorable Mention TIFA 2025 People / Culture

Salt Worker

  • Photographer
    Patrick Labarrere
  • Photo Date
    January 2024

In the Danakil Desert, on the shores of Lake Karum in Ethiopia, men are busy. In extreme conditions and with rudimentary tools, salt workers carve enormous blocks to extract the white gold. These slabs will then be loaded onto the backs of dozens of dromedaries, forming a majestic caravan.