In the northern areas of Pakistan, tucked under the world's largest mountain ranges,
the nomadic Maroots people make a living by searching for precious specks of gold.
In the local Shina language, Maroots translates to the gold washing trade.
This trade has been the identity of this isolated tribe.
Using primitive techniques passed on to them by their forefathers, they have been mining
for gold in the region for centuries.
In the flow of the rivers decline, the tribe sets up camp in a promising area along the
riverbank.
They will only stay here for as long as they can find gold.
In the northern areas of Pakistan, the nomadic Maroots people make a living by searching for
precious specks of gold.
After the gold is sold, it is refined into jewelry in local workshops.
The Maroots, however, play no part in the process of gold refining, nor is gold worn
as an ornament by the tribe.
In the northern areas of Pakistan, the nomadic Maroots, the nomadic Maroots,
the nomadic Maroots, the nomadic Maroots, the nomadic Maroots,
the nomadic Maroots.
To survive the harsh realities of life, they need to find gold on a daily basis.
The Maroots have no possessions like land, no other skills to leave behind their inherited
profession, they remain dependent on gold mining as their only source of income.
To increase their earnings, Maroots children must play a vital role.
The family works as a unit and everyone must contribute to ensure that they find enough
gold to make ends meet.
Once the findings begin to fade, the nomads pack up and travel to other sites, hoping
for better luck.
They wander from one valley to another in search of more gold.
This nomadic lifestyle makes it impossible for children to attend school.
They are bound to the hard and laborious trade of their predecessors.
Mercury is largely used during the panning and gold extraction process.
It is easily available in the local markets and sold without any restrictions.
Gold extraction using mercury continues along the banks of the Hunza, Gilgit and Indus rivers
in the region.
On Fridays, the Maroots go into the central market to sell the gold they have collected
and purchase enough food and supplies for the coming week.
The Maroots go into the central market and purchase enough food and supplies for the coming
week.
The Maroots go into the central market and purchase enough food and supplies for the coming
week.
The Maroots go into the central market and purchase enough food and supplies for the coming week.
The Maroots are a marginalized community with inadequate earnings.
The tribe has remained in a vicious cycle of poverty for generations, with the rest
of the region advancing over time.
The Maroots are left behind.
They are becoming increasingly ill-equipped to reduce their dependence on gold and integrate
into society.
While Maroots children are taught the skills and trade of their forefathers, they face
an uncertain future with new challenges brought on by climate change, increasing globalization
and an ever-depleting supply of their lifeline.
The Maroots go into the central market and purchase enough food and supplies for the coming
week.
The Maroots go into the central market and purchase enough food and supplies for the coming
week.
