BALI RICE WOMEN

Rice, to the Balinese people, is more than the most important source of food, it's part of their culture.

The harvest of rice in Bali is mainly made by women, no matter the age; during harvesting period of the year (April - June) it's common to find group of ladies spread on a field chopping the plants and collecting rice with few tools and a lot of patience.

This is in Karangasem area, where the view is stunning; the huge Agung Vulcan (Gunung Agung) is clearly visible and very close; the rice fields are everywhere and landscape is unique. Nature is still the owner of itself, humans are just respectful guests.

We are used to consider Bali as the island full of instagram influencers and hipster surfers, and it's actually true. But there is more, way more.

These admirable local ladies keep alive the tradition of hundreds of years ago when the job in the fields was a solid part of the culture of the island. 

And they proudly go on, almost happy to be photographed.

They share a meal laughing and enjoying the break, they laugh during their hard work, they focus, they know they are essential for the Island.

When i started to work on this reportage i initially wanted to share salaries, rights and working conditions, but then i realised they are happy like that (and locals also confirmed it). There is no need to report this as something that necessarily has to change. And as long they are happy with it, we should be so too.