washing wheat
Feb 7, 2010
The water that streamed out from the Passu glacier flowed in the street gutters of KKH, and were overflowing along the road. One day, we got to the place where women and children were washing wheat beside KKH. A young woman had one-wheeled cart with wheat in it and some children were filling it with water using two buckets one blue plastic and another one yellow.
The procedure for washing wheat was as follows.
First of all, when wheat is put in the cart from the bag, children pour water into it. (photo①) Only the water with the husk and other wheat chaff is carefully thrown away and then water is poured again. (photo②) When there is no more wheat husk to float, the woman washes the wheat while shaking the cart sideways. After repeating several times these series of steps the girl moves in front of the cart and takes hold of wheat that was finished being washed with a sifter. (photo⑤)
⑤
⑥
They seemed to be enjoying washing wheat.
⑦
⑧
Wheat that finished being washed is carried to the village across the KKH. Then wheat is spread out and is dried in a special enclosed space of Leeds so that the domestic animal could not enter.
⑧
⑨
I felt that the people’s delight made a success in the harvesting of the staple food of Passu, wheat!
(Editor・Elena Akari /Photo･Sisso /Writer･Tomiko)
