Moving is often a head game in Africa

Water from the local well, firewood gathered along the side of the road, produce and grain being brought home for dinner – Africa carries daily life on its head.

For those of us accustomed to transporting necessities by piling them into a car, this seems unusual – or impossible. But in countries where the vast majority live on a few dollars a day, there's often no other way to move goods than on foot. And for many people, there's no better way to carry a load while walking than to stack it atop one's head.

Many people must walk for hours each day just to accomplish simple tasks. So it's a familiar sight in the poorest countries: people performing small miracles of balance, strength, perseverance, and endurance.

Often the resulting scenes are picturesque, if not a picture of efficiency. Sometimes they're beautiful. Always, they are impressive.

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