On a rocky Cape Verde beach, Maria and Vania fill their buckets with black sand the moment that waves recede, transporting it on their heads to a stockpile where it will be sold illegally.
The women struggle to keep their footing against the rough ocean while balancing the loads, which weigh dozens of kilograms (pounds).
The beach is far from the typical picture postcard image of the west African archipelago and Vania Tavares makes the sign of the cross before stepping into its dangerous waves.
The women, known as "sand thieves", have performed this gruelling task almost daily for more than 15 years in order to survive in one of the island nations' poorest regions.
With solemn expressions, the pair plus four other neighbouring women move in a silent, hours-long dance during low tide at Charco Beach near the town Ribeira da Barca, located on the main island of Santiago.
