"LABOUR IN MALI" | VALERIE LEONARD

"Labour in Mali" was born from my love for the African continent, and particularly the extraordinary human adventure that I experienced in Mali. 
I chose to show with as much respect and admiration as possible, the beauty, courage, and dignity of these men and women facing a severe and trying challenges daily.

I divided my work into four hard works:                                                                                    The blacksmiths  of Bamako's hills                                                                                                The extraction of the sand in  Niger river                                                                                  The gold miners of Kokoro                                                                                                          The potters of Segou

These photographs show the hard and often misunderstood work exerted by these men I encountered there.
Here they are, far from the industrial civilization and modern technology, facing without choice, the daunting tasks of their profession.

All images © VALERIE LEONARD

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