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Lines of Silence

Amihay Shraga

Israel

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A Mundari man is captured mid-ritual during the evening. He stands over a fire, applying ash to his face, as the smoke envelops him. This is part of the ritual to cover and prepare his cattle herd for the night.

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Nominee

Born of Ash and Smoke

Honorable Mention

Hyperinflation in South Sudan has turned cash into a physical burden. With $50 equaling nearly 300 banknotes, plastic bags have replaced wallets. This image shows workers counting stacks of 1,000-pound notes. Despite the volume, it’s worth only a few dollars, documenting a devalued economy.

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The Human Ledger

As the sun sets over South Sudan, the Mundari cattle camps fill with dust and smoke from dung fires, burned to protect the herd from insects. This series captures the children as they organize and tether the entire herd in place for the night, securing each animal through the thick haze.

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The Ash Children