Below the bridge, near fields by the Falakhu river
Below the bridge, near fields by the Falakhu river
Betrawati, 2000
Ganes, Ashani and Ashish
Imose emerges from a field of rice
Imose emerges from a field of rice
Dadagaun, Kathmandu, Saturday, September 26th, 2015
I was watching two children work together to launch a kite, when I heard voices in the nearby field of rice. Although I couldn't see anyone, stalks of rice were moving about. As I walked over, Imose emerged from the rice, playing with his scarf. His friend followed a minute later.
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Imose’s friend emerges moments later.
Mother, daughter—today, tomorrow
Mother, daughter—today, tomorrow
Kathmandu, 2005
There is a point at which, the daily path I take is shaped like a hairpin. If I wish to take a short-cut, I merely turn down a wide beaten-dirt path, past a few small houses, then down a small hill and across a narrow terraced valley of small fields.
Passing this way one afternoon, I happened to see this young girl and her mother taking a well-deserved rest. We had seen each other a great deal in our comings and goings, but I believe this was the first photo I took of them together.
I see the strength in the youth of Nepal, and it makes me look forward to the Nepal that they will choose to create for themselves.
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Nisha harvesting
Nisha harvesting
Betrawati, 2002
When a rice field is ready to harvest it is drained and let to dry. Once the ground is hard, the grass is cut by hand. When it’s dry enough, a tarp is laid out and a large stone is placed in the middle. Swinging handfuls of the grass against the stone, the rice is separated off and gathers on the tarp. A child collects the clumps of grass and makes large stacks, which can later be fed to a family buffalo.
The sickle-like tool Nisha is holding is called a hi-shuh.
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Nisha, all but hidden in a field of rice stalks.
Sisters Sushmita, Manju and Shushila
Sisters Sushmita, Manju and Shushila
Betrawati, 2002
Sushmita, Manju and Shushila lived beside the dusty road that snakes through Betrawati. I remember that Manju went to my school, but I don't recall if Sushmita or Sushila did (there were at least two other schools within a 20 minute walk). Their brother Rabindra was one of the first children I met in the village. He saw me buying several Choco-Fun candy bars on one of my first days, and so sometimes when he would see me he would shout "Choco-Fun!" as a way of greeting.
These two color photos were taken in 2002, on a day when the children were preparing their family's field for planting. You can see the wooden plow being helped along by brothers Rajesh and Rabinda below. In the background you can see most of Uttargaya Secondary English Boarding School.
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Below is a photo of siblings Manju and Rabindra taken in late 2000.