Facing the Asian Conical Hat

The Asian conical hat is a simple style of conical hat originating in Southeast Asia. It is kept on the head by a cloth chin strap (often silk); an internal band of the same material keeps the hat itself from resting on the wearer's head. This style of hat is used primarily as protection from the sun and rain. When made of straw or matting, it can be dipped in water and worn as an impromptu evaporative-cooling device.

High-res portrait photographs with full exif data, precise geotags and technical details in Matt Hahnewald's

Flickr Album 2013-10a Facing the Asian Conical Hat

Flickr Album 2014-02a Flashing the V Sign All Over Asia

Covering Central Sulawesi

Central Sulawesi is located smack in the middle of the island of Sulawesi, formerly known as Celebes, and a province of Indonesia. Indonesia has an estimated population of over 255 million people and is the world's fourth most populous country and the most populous Muslim-majority country.

The roles and behaviour of Indonesian women today are changing, being affected by many factors, including increased modernisation, globalisation, improved education, advances in technology and changes in lifestyle. Many women are moving away from the traditional dictates of Indonesian culture. Though Indonesia is a Muslim nation, the status of women is generally considered to be relatively high; however, their position, rights and behaviour vary considerably in different ethnic groups, even Muslim ones.

"A good snapshot keeps a moment from running away."

(Eudora Welty)

Profiling Coconuts on Sulawesi

The coconut is known for its great versatility as seen in the many culinary and nonculinary uses of its different parts and found throughout the tropics and subtropics; virtually every part of the coconut palm can be used by humans in some manner and has significant economic value. The coconuts' versatility is sometimes noted in its naming: (i) in Sanskrit, it is "the tree which provides all the necessities of life" aka kalpa vriksha, and (ii) in the Malay language, it is "the tree of a thousand uses" aka pokok seribu guna. Near Palu on Central Sulawesi lives a local artist who carves funny coconut heads, depicting his neighbours.

Mourning in Funereal Torajaland

The Toraja are an ethnic group indigenous to Tana Toraja, a mountainous region of South Sulawesi. Most of the population is Christian or have local animist beliefs known as aluk. Toraja funeral rites are important social events, usually attended by hundreds of people and lasting for several days.