17 November 2010

Facing Beachy Sri Lanka

These iconic stilt fishermen are unique to Sri Lanka. They sit patiently on a cross bar called petta tied to a vertical pole and driven into the sand a few meters offshore. From this high position, the fisherman casts his line and waits until a fish comes along to be caught. Although the technique looks ancient, stilt fishing is only a recent tradition which has started during World War II when food shortages and overcrowded fishing spots prompted the first shore anglers between Unawatuna and Weligama to try fishing on the water. At first they started fishing from the wrecks of capsised ships and downed aircrafts, later they began erecting wooden stilts in the coastal reefs...

close up, street portrait, headshot, people, outdoors, Sri Lanka, Unawatuna, stilt fishing, young fisherman

close up, street portrait, headshot, people, outdoors, Sri Lanka, Unawatuna, stilt fishing, old fisherman

close up, street portrait, headshot, people, outdoors, Sri Lanka, Unawatuna, stilt fishing, old fisherman

13 September 2010

Mourning in Funereal Torajaland

The Toraja are an ethnic group indigenous to Tana Toraja, a mountainous region of South Sulawesi. Most of the population is Christian or have local animist beliefs known as aluk. Toraja funeral rites are important social events, usually attended by hundreds of people and lasting for several days.

close up, double portrait, street portrait, people, Indonesia, South Sulawesi, Tana Toraja, Rantepao, folk costume, Toraja traditional garment, young women, young Toraja women, beautiful

close up, double portrait, street portrait, people, Indonesia, South Sulawesi, Tana Toraja, Rantepao, folk costume, Toraja traditional garment, young girls, young Toraja girls

groupshot, triple portrait, street portrait, people, Indonesia, South Sulawesi, Tana Toraja, Rantepao, folk costume, Toraja traditional garment, young boys, young Toraja boys