Fish Porter Carrying Silver Catch Through Meltwater

Bright midmorning light floods the spice vendor's table in Duékoué, illuminating a porter navigating a slick floor of meltwater. The worker balances a heavy bundle of silvery fish against a backdrop of vibrant, piled spices in woven baskets. Water ripples around the porter's feet, reflecting the grey overhead sky and the rich reds and oranges of dried chilies and turmeric. The texture of wet skin contrasts with the rough burlap of the carrying sack. Every surface glistens under the diffuse skylight, showing the heavy, humid air of the turning season. one drop of water slides from the edge of a fish scale onto the wooden table.