A rest from reconstruction: Harvest time in the rice fields

October and November 2006 have been rather quiet in Bicak and Ngunut. Firstly, the month of Ramadan – an important time for the Muslim community – has slowed things down a bit.

During Ramadan most people fast from sunup to sundown – yes, no food or drink until the sun goes down. Understandably, hard physical labour is really out of the question, especially when it’s so hot outside, with the equatorial sun beating down on you.

In Indonesia, the end of the fasting month of Ramadan is called Hari Raya Idul Fitri or Lebaran. It is a special and festive day, children wear new clothes, and delicious food is cooked and shared among friends and neighbours. It is a time of forgiveness, a time for family and friends to get together and foster a strong sense of community.

This year, in Bicak and Ngunut, straight on the heels of Hari Raya, was harvest time. Even though average farm sizes are tiny (around 0.2 ha), agriculture is one of the most important economic sectors in rural Java. Many people, even if they are not landowners call themselves farmers; their farming skills are available for hire. Almost everyone in Bicak and Ngunut are out in the fields harvesting.

Unfortunately I don’t have photos of harvest time in Bicak and Ngunut. Here are a few photos from Sekarals, to give you some idea of what harvesting rice in Java looks like.

Regards
Sari, Manager Subur Gemi Nastiti