GAME OF DEATH

The dazzling Tanzanite gemstone is Tanzania’s most famous and unique resource found at Mererani village, in the Manyara region, near Arusha in the North of the country. This precious gemstone, blue-purple in colour can only be found in Tanzania, hence it’s name.

Many people are attracted to the life at the Tanzanite mine at Mererani, most of who are teenagers below 18 years of age and young men between 19 to 24 years of age. The organization at the mines is as follows; there are plot or mine owners who are closely helped by men who are leaders in the mines who, in most cases are geologists, and they, in turn, are in charge of a large group of boys and young men who act as the main work force.

The group of young boys are known as “Nyoka”, a Kiswahili word for snake, as they have a special role of slipping into the mines and tunnels easily as opposed to the bigger men. Their duties include carrying food and tools to the workers in the underground tunnels and pave the way for the miners.  While executing the task  of paving the way for the miners, the ”snake boys” , also slip into the pits  and tunnels to dig  and collect sand which is carefully examined to see  whether it contains traces  of the gemstone or not.

According to the Mererani community, the “snake boys” are jointly known as the “Appolos” who are usually shabby, distraught looking people.  The ” Appolos” or ” snake boys”  are  ready to take the risk as they can go  down as  deep as 250 meter  underground to  look for  the Tanzanite.

Due to poor equipment used by the ” Appolos/snake boys”  it may take several months or years before the  pit/mine comes productive. The work is grueling, dangerous and costly. The ” Appolos/snake boys”  have no capacity themselves to invest in tanzanite  mining and so they  just go for any job which can provide them  with their basic needs, mainly food and drinking water. When they strike rocks which contain tanzanite gemstones they hand them to the mine owners.

Over 200 people have died since 1996 due to various accidents at Mererani mines. These include heavy rains, falling rocks and suffocation due to lack of oxygen for the young miners who are looking for tanzanite deep underground. The new government policy of privatization has not looked much into this work force. END! 

A group of miners search dug sand to locate Tanzanite gemstone. When the young miners strike big rocks which contain tanzanite they have to hand them to the mine owners. 

Moza Wanne, 56, from a nearby village, riddles sand tracing Tanzanite. There are many people like him who sometimes manage to get small particles which earn them a living.

In search of the precious stones: All that glitter, are carefully screened. The “Appolos” closely examine a stone to detect the glittering particles. 

The “Appolos” believe smoking marijuana makes them
Stronger and courageous.

A “Snake Boy” sneaking in the tunnel to reach the bottom of the mine, about 250 m underground.

Striking rocks at the bottom of a mine.

In sweat and tear the struggle for better life goes on.