A young talibé boy studies the Quran, bound by chains in a Quranic school in the city of Touba, Senegal, in May 2015.

A young talibé boy studies the Quran, bound by chains in a Quranic school in the city of Touba, Senegal, in May 2015. In this school, the youngest talibés are shackled by their ankles to prevent them from running away. The children may remain chained for days, weeks, or months until they gain the teacher’s trust. Their guardian explained, “When I release them, I give them the freedom to beg like the rest of the talibés.” 

© 2015 Mario Cruz