Going back hundreds of years, along this coastline, people have collected oysters from the tentacles of the mangroves, which flank River Gambia…the tributaries are great sites for the oysters to grow. Oyster harvesting is traditionally a female-driven process – from collection, preparation, to selling of the oysters… hear more from Jason Florio as he talks to Neal James of Photography Daily Show/Photowalk approximately 00:28.50 mins in
Female power at its best… Jason Florio
One of the first portraits I shot in The Gambia, 20+ years ago, with my Deardorff film camera, was of a group of oyster ladies – Jason Florio – ‘Makasutu’ series
‘Makasutu’ Fine Art Photography Prints
helenjonesflorio.com Online Gallery
The way it (oyster harvesting) is done now, the women are a lot more conscientious about the environment. Before they would come and hack the branches off (when collecting the oysters). Thanks to the TRY Oyster Collective, working with the UN in The Gambia, who have been teaching them the importance of the mangroves in the eco-system to not only be conscientious about how the oysters are harvested, but also to see themselves as guardians of the mangroves. Thus preserving the eco-system – Jason Florio/Photography Daily Show
Are you interested in photo retreat in The Gambia? Email Neale James studio@photographydaily.show
floriophoto.com
Stewards of the forest: the pioneering women’s collective harvesting the Gambia’s oysters – The Guardian. Images ©Jason Florio / Words by J.R.Patterson
Header Image: Jason Florio photographing the oyster women in The Gambia ©Helen Jones-Florio, March 2019
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