Trans Amadi Slaughterhouse

Black Gold

Black Gold
Ed Kashi

Since oil was discovered in the Niger Delta in 1956, over 400 billion dollars worth has been pumped out of these fertile grounds. The Delta, the third largest wetland in the world, has become the main source of foreign exchange earnings for Nigeria yet it remains the least developed area of the country. These images document daily life along the Niger Delta, its inhabitants and the conditions in which they live.

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  • A view of the Trans Amadi Slaughterhouse, the main abbatoir of Port Harcourt, reveals deplorable conditions lacking organization and hygiene.

    The animals are killed in the open, their blood spilled into the waterways below, and their skins burned by the flames of old tires, creating thick clouds of black smoke.
  • Trans Amadi Slaughter is the largest abattior in the delta.

    They kill thousands of animals a day, roast them, cut them up and prepare the meat for sale throughout Rivers State and the rest of the delta.  Nearly all of the workers here, especially the meat handlers, are Hausa and Yoruba, mostly muslim too. In the delta fish was traditionally the main source of protein, but as fish stocks have dwindled due to pollution from oil and over fishing, meat is becoming more common in the delta.
  • Cows bleed out as they are tied up in restraints.

    Cows bleed out as they are tied up in restraints.

  • A worker stands in a pool of blood from the nearby animal carcass.

    A worker stands in a pool of blood from the nearby animal carcass.

  • The carcasses of freshly killed goats are roasted by the flames of burning tires at Trans Amadi.

    The carcasses of freshly killed goats are roasted by the flames of burning tires at Trans Amadi.

  • A young worker carries the body of a goat through the smoke filled grounds of the Trans Amadi Slaughterhouse.

    A young worker carries the body of a goat through the smoke filled grounds of the Trans Amadi Slaughterhouse.

  • A worker stands amongst the dead bodies of recently killed animals. Nearly all of the workers here, especially the meat handlers, are Hausa and Yoruba Muslims.

    A worker stands amongst the dead bodies of recently killed animals. Nearly all of the workers here, especially the meat handlers, are Hausa and Yoruba Muslims.

  • A boy selling drinks at the slaughterhouse.

    A boy selling drinks at the slaughterhouse.

  • A worker carries a fresh goat carcass to the fire pit for roasting.

    A worker carries a fresh goat carcass to the fire pit for roasting.

  • Workers labor amongst the heavy clouds of smoke polluting the air.

    Workers labor amongst the heavy clouds of smoke polluting the air.

  • Piles of horns and bones are testament to the number of animals slaughtered daily at Trans Amadi.

    Piles of horns and bones are testament to the number of animals slaughtered daily at Trans Amadi.

  • A Muslim worker stands in a pool of animal blood at the Trans Amadi Slaughterhouse.

    A Muslim worker stands in a pool of animal blood at the Trans Amadi Slaughterhouse.

  • Slaughterhouse workers crudely dismember the freshly killed animals.

    Slaughterhouse workers crudely dismember the freshly killed animals.

  • Workers skin the carcasses of freshly killed livestock at the Trans Amadi Slaughterhouse.

    Workers skin the carcasses of freshly killed livestock at the Trans Amadi Slaughterhouse.

  • A group of workers at the slaughterhouse who work in cooking the skins of animals.

    A group of workers at the slaughterhouse who work in cooking the skins of animals.

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Trans Amadi Slaughterhouse

Trans Amadi Slaughterhouse, the main abattoir of Port Harcourt, reveals deplorable conditions lacking organization and hygiene. The animals are killed in the open, their blood spilled into the waterways below, and their skins burned by the flames of old tires, creating thick clouds of black smoke. Nearly all of the workers here, especially the meat handlers, are Hausa and Yoruba, mostly Muslim too.

Trans Amadi Slaughterhouse
Artist/Author: Ed Kashi

Trans Amadi Slaughterhouse, the main abattoir of Port Harcourt, reveals deplorable conditions lacking organization and hygiene. The animals are killed in the open, their blood spilled into the waterways below, and their skins burned by the flames of old tires, creating thick clouds of black smoke. Nearly all of the workers here, especially the meat handlers, are Hausa and Yoruba, mostly Muslim too.