In India, as in many other countries, women are implicated in construction work. I often see them hauling rocks and digging trenches along roadways. Often pre-school children accompany their parents, and sit by the side of the road or amuse themselves in some way. The family is paid by the government, and often several families work together to do road repair or sewage cleaning. It is all very different than what a Western mind is used to. My impression was that the women do most of the heavy lifting, which is contrary to the Western mindset.
In these pictures, I photographed three women each carrying a load of rocks on their head. For the sake of modesty, they generally do not look straight at the photographer. However, I caught a couple of them doing just that. These rocks are heavy yet they carry them with grace and dignity.
charley5 wrote:
In India, as in many other countries, women are implicated in construction work. I often see them hauling rocks and digging trenches along roadways. Often pre-school children accompany their parents, and sit by the side of the road or amuse themselves in some way. The family is paid by the government, and often several families work together to do road repair or sewage cleaning. It is all very different than what a Western mind is used to. My impression was that the women do most of the heavy lifting, which is contrary to the Western mindset.
In these pictures, I photographed three women each carrying a load of rocks on their head. For the sake of modesty, they generally do not look straight at the photographer. However, I caught a couple of them doing just that. These rocks are heavy yet they carry them with grace and dignity.
-Charles
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I know the plight of Middle Asian and SE Asian women Charles!
It started in Vietnam in 1967. Not only the local S. Vietnam women but the N. Vietnam women were the main source of construction personnel for the Ho Chi Minh trail from N.VN through Laos, Cambodia and Thailand!
It was amazing how much women could carry on their head or in "shoulder poles"!
Great compositions Charles!
Dan
Danpbphoto wrote:
I know the plight of Middle Asian and SE Asian women Charles!
It started in Vietnam in 1967. Not only the local S. Vietnam women but the N. Vietnam women were the main source of construction personnel for the Ho Chi Minh trail from N.VN through Laos, Cambodia and Thailand!
It was amazing how much women could carry on their head or in "shoulder poles"!
Great compositions Charles!
Dan
Thanks, Dan. It is quite amazing how strong these women are. I try not to judge with my Western concepts, but there is often something that blows my mind about this country! It is quite a different world here!
charley5 wrote:
Thanks, Dan. It is quite amazing how strong these women are. I try not to judge with my Western concepts, but there is often something that blows my mind about this country! It is quite a different world here!
-Charles
Indeed! Hearty they be! You can't beat that anywhere! We live a "soft" life in the West!
Dan
mandodon wrote:
How do they get that load up on and off of their heads?
From my observations the women lift it off, tilt and dump off, have someone else help but I have seen SE Asian women handle saucers loaded with bolders, rock and dirt no problems or some used yokes with balancing basket/cans/whatever..on each end for balance.
Dan
Danpbphoto wrote:
Indeed! Hearty they be! You can't beat that anywhere! We live a "soft" life in the West!
Dan
Yes, and it is amazing how accepting they are of their life. They believe it is past karma, accrued over lifetimes, which is responsible for their lot. How different is that from Western concepts that our will power can extricate us from any situation?
