In Algeria, villagers uphold the centuries-old practise of salt panning

In Algeria’s Kabyle mountains, about 250 kilometres east of Algiers, villagers maintain the centuries-old practice of harvesting salt from a high-altitude sebkha. The natural salt lake has been worked since Roman times, with skills passed through generations.

Elderly workers continue the trade despite summer temperatures reaching 47°C. Harvest cycles range from four to nine days depending on heat levels. Historically traded across North Africa and Europe, the salt was prized for both culinary and industrial uses. Its mineral content also gave it value in traditional medicine. The activity remains a key source of income for the community.