Status symbol, a photo from Nusa Tenggara Timur, Nusa Tenggara

Photographer's Note

The Republic of Indonesia, also known as 'Land Under the Rainbow' offers adventure that is hard to find in modern world. Streching three time zones with approx 300 ethnic groups which speak some 365 languages with a myriad of different cultures, Indonesia possesses some of the most remarkable sights in South East Asia. Flores in East Nusa Tenggara Province is one remote exotic island with 14 active volcanoes, remains barely undetected by tourist radar despite great improvements in transport connections, and something about this most rugged and most beautiful mountainous island in ENT that I wll never forget after spending almost one month on solo photo escapade almost four years ago.
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Ngada people are native inhibitant in south central district of the island, with strong ethnic touch and still influenced by the animistic beliefs beneath the prevalent Catholicism. This is one of the traditional Ngada houses in Bena village, 1200m elevation tucked in cool lush green mountains on the slopes Ineri volcano (2500m) where tradition and animist beliefs hold strong here including ancestor worship and gory buffalo sacrifice.

In their society, status of a household is determined by how many times a person has provided an animal to be eaten by the village during a festival.

The more one is able to contribute, the higher one's status. So your guess is as good as mine, by looking at the accumulation of the neatly stacked buffalo horns there.

Workshop1: Bena Village on wider perspective
Workshop2: Heavily clouded Ineri Volcano 2500m, seen from Bena Village
Actual local time Exif + 1hour

Thanks for reading and viewing

Noel_Byrne, krzychu30, Romano46, ourania, josepmarin, adramad, SnapRJW, rychem, Eric_vd, Cricri, nikkitta, mirosu, Angshu has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Noel_Byrne (7426) 2013-02-20 8:01

Hi Abmdsudi
Thank you for your note on this, a fascinating way of tracking status, and without your comment, I would not have figured out what they were. I was looking at the white parts only, and thought that it was a complete skeleton of some strange creature!
Great composition on the image to include the part of the home in the background, so we can see where this status applies. Thats a lot of dead buffalo!
All the best
Noel

Kamilutka (3207) 2013-02-20 8:28

Hello,
it was fascinationg to read the note and seeing the photo as an illustraion to it. It is amazing how different the cultures can be and how much we still have to learn. Your contribution to TE is huge. Thanks for that! As for the photo, the composition is masterly organized to outline the real subject. Good colors and contrast.
Warm regards
Kamila

mesutilgim (68014) 2013-02-20 9:37

Hello Abmdsudi,
Perfect TE entry ! Not only photographycally but also with it's message and usefull notes, quite interesting.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

Fis2 (73124) 2013-02-20 9:37

Witaj Abmdsudi!
Interesting place, curious symbol.
Good frame, colors and light.
Good work.
Best regards
Krzysztof

krzychu30 (8897) 2013-02-20 10:30

Hello Abmdsudi,
your magnificent photo together with other two you attach in WS tell us a very interesting story about Ngada.I like also that you decided to this close-up and tight frame as it´s definitely much more expressive in its message-the other two pictures are great develop of this subject.Excellently executed with delightful light.

Kind regards
Krzysztof

Romano46 (4956) 2013-02-20 10:33

Ciao Abmdsudi,
leggendo le tue note ricche di notizie ho avuto modo di apprezzare meglio la tua foto di oggi che si fa anche notare per l'eccellente tecnica di ripresa fatta di nitidezza, luminosità e colori fedeli e aderenti alla realtà.
Ma è bella anche come composizione e soprattutto, interessante come documento di usi e costumi che con il tempo tendono a scomparire ed è bene che vengano documentati per farli conoscere anche alle future generazioni.
Grazie per la condivisione di questo eccellente documento.
Ciao e buona serata
Romano

ourania (12427) 2013-02-20 13:36

Hello Abmdsudi,
this is a great picture, simple in composition and fascinating in content. I like very much the sense of depth through the wooden frame and the effective contrast between lit and shady parts. The vivid light is wonderful and also vivifies the colours. There's a delightful feeling of warmth. I especially like the workshop picture with the wider perspective on the village houses. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a lovely day,
Ourania

eldancer1 (17088) 2013-02-20 21:00

A lot of your composition are simple but very effective and powerful. I like the lighting on this one, highlighting only the important element. Good dof with sharp details and wonderful colors. Well done, tfs.

papagolf21 (76603) 2013-02-20 23:57

Bonjour, Abmdsudi,
C'est toujours un pur régal de contempler vos réalisations.
Ici, encore, le résultat est stupéfiant et édifiant.
Une composition très réussie.
Amitiés.
Philippe

josepmarin (55063) 2013-02-21 3:13

Hi Abmdsudi,
you have created a lovely image in this capture, I like the chiaroscuro inside the house in background, with the presence of the person, and the subtle light in foreground.
The accumulation of buffalo horns notices us of the high status of the household, according your good informative note.
A good work, my friend, with two beautiful complementary photos in both WS.
Best regards,
Josep

adramad (27556) 2013-02-21 5:06

Hello Abmdsudi.
Very interesting picture, we look carefully, after reading your interesting note, these customs are similar to those seen in village of the island of Sulawesi.
Ideal so well made that they are the shadows and lights in the picture, also very natural color gives a nice touch to the picture.
Magnificent light and perfect sharpness.
Very well done. I love it.
Have a nice day.
Best wishes.
Luis.

Silvio1953 (98217) 2013-02-21 5:52

Ciao Abmdsudi, lovely and interesting composition, excellent clarity, fine details, wonderful colors and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

SnapRJW (18784) 2013-02-21 6:23

Hello Abmdsudi - An interesting note to accompany a trio of shots. See the buffalo skulls stacked like this reminds me of the OvaHimba people of Namibia; they have a similar structure to mark their graves. The richer the deceased, the more skulls placed one on top of the next. Women are denoted by downward facing horns and men up. A super DL shot with fascinating subject matter! I see from the WS's that the area is truly beautiful. What a great experience to spend so long here. Warm regards Rosemary

rychem (9240) 2013-02-21 9:15

Interesting documentary photo, you have shown an old ethnic tradition, very informative note
regards
Ryszard

Eric_vd (283) 2013-02-22 3:12

Very interesthing photo with a good explanation!!
Well done!!!

Cricri (86501) 2013-02-22 4:43

Hi Abmdsudi
Une note intéressante sur la vie et les coutumes du pays, extraordinaire l'ampliation des cornes!! deux belles images présenter aussi en WS
Belle journée
cricri

everlasting (13803) 2013-02-22 10:31

I've seen the same custom of stacking buffalo skulls in Sulawesi. A good daily life image certainly in the theme of TE sharing not only images but good information also.
The light is nice as it falls on the woman's face allowing us to not forget she is there.

nikkitta (5896) 2013-02-22 16:10

Hola Abmdsudi

Great, interesting and informative note, let us understand the photo, I was looking at the white bones and searching for a explanation
Different countries and cultures always found a way to show status, here not a Maserati, a Rolex or a Luis Vuitton bag, but buffalo corns
A perfect capture and note for TE
Greetings and TFS

Maria

mirosu (5533) 2013-02-22 19:23

Hi Abmdsudi,
Thanks for your excellent note. I spend some time in Indonesia, but never reached such interesting places.
I like this excellent detail view to sinple village house. The light and shadow contrast is very good. Good to see tha woman, she adds some life to the scene.
Wish you a nice weekend.

jemaflor (69011) 2013-02-23 8:19

Hi A,
A composition well balanced, good result with light, interesting subject to share.

dkmurphys (36831) 2013-02-23 8:54

Hello,
A well observed detail. The result is quite interesting and attractive. Well taken, enjoy the weekend.

Daniel

Angshu (51174) 2013-03-06 3:57

Salam Abmdsudi
The buffalo people...I have seen pictures of their village & houses, but for the first time seeing an image of what you show here...a symbol of status! Amazing way to demonstrate your 'deeds' & wealth. This is a picture in the truest spirit of this site...I learn something new about the culture of a country I thought I already knew...but I stand corrected, thanks to you!
Best Regards
Angshu