The Story Behind the Winnow: Stories About Traditional Farmers in Aceh, Indonesia

In this post, I'm once again sharing my black-and-white photography with all my friends in this amazing community. This work isn't just a photo, but also a visual story about the perseverance, patience, and local wisdom of the people in my area.

That day, I visited a village that still holds fast to ancestral agricultural traditions. There, I witnessed farmers separating mung bean seeds from their husks using a simple tool called a winnowing tool—a woven bamboo tool passed down through generations. With gentle but firm movements, they winnowed their harvest, utilizing the wind to separate the shells from the beans.

Before this winnowing process, the mung bean seeds are first dried in the hot sun until completely dry. Afterward, they pound them with a hard wooden stick to remove the husks. Everything is done by hand, with meticulous care and a sense of responsibility for the fruits of their labor.

Using my Canon M100 camera, I tried to capture every moment—from the peanuts flying through the air, to the wrinkled yet still agile hands, to the concentrated expressions on their faces. Every detail tells a story; every speck of dust and floating peanut shell seems to depict life's never-ending struggle.

I chose black and white photography to highlight the texture, light, and emotion emanating from these daily activities. Without color, we can better appreciate the depth of meaning—the hard work, patience, and simplicity often forgotten in modern life.

This work is a token of my appreciation for farmers, especially the resilient women who grapple with nature every day to produce food for us all. I hope this series of photographs is not only a visual spectacle, but also a reminder of the importance of preserving and appreciating their traditions and hard work.

I hope you enjoy this work, and that these photos speak louder than words.