grab by the horn !, a photo from Sulawesi Selatan, Sulawesi

Photographer's Note

This was taken on a slight cloudy morning in Bolu livestock market about 2km out of Rantepao town in Tanah Toraja highland, south Sulawesi - an important open-air market for the local Torajas Christian minorty. I was fascinated by the amount of water buffaloes in varying sizes being sold here, full of noise but be prepared as the smell is unpleasant and lots of dung at this pretty huge market. A fantastic experience in this part of the world which gives you a better understanding of how highly-prized the buffaloes are to these people.

In the region known as 'Land of death rituals' - water buffaloes being the most important animal in Toraja culture, are mostly raised to be sacrificed during traditional funeral ceremonies which can last up to a week, as they are believed to help carry the dead to the afterlife world, meats are then distributed to family members, relatives and guests. The richer or more socially prestigious the family of the deceased is, the more and better buffaloes are required. The most sacred and expensive ones are of certain albino types or perfect longhorns - called 'tedong bonga' - which can be more expensive than cars! This interesting place is more than just a market - there are hundreds of people gathered, socializing, cheering, selling and buying during the big day. It is a very well-known social event and many people travel long distances to sell their animals, all of which adds to the colourful experience and plenty to make pictures..

Setting: 10 mm, 1/60 sec, F16, ISO Raw 200, 0840 hrs.

Additional pictures:
Workshop1: This perfect longhorns buffalo is the Mercedes of status here

Workshop2: Locals taking care of their water buffaloes

snunney, ChrisJ, ktanska, jhm, lucasgalodoido, alvaraalto, papagolf21 oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

snunney (130967) 2018-02-02 5:00

Hello Abmdsudi,
Fascinating note to accompany this interesting and well realised daily life composition. This water buffalo looks immense, though that may be partly due to the use of the wide angle lens. I like the framing and nicely rendered textural detail.

Sergiom (117241) 2018-02-02 5:36

Bonjour Abmdsudi,

Une trčs jolie scčne de marché oů les animaux semblent prendre la vedette. Il faut dire qu'ils sont assez gros pour cela. Un point de vue qui sort de l'ordinaire.

Amicalement

Serge

pajaran (115071) 2018-02-02 5:45

Dobro vece.
Lep pogled i trenutak, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Dobar rad sa lepim fotografijama u radionici, lepo pokazano, dobar kontarst, lepe boje, lepo uhvacen trenutak.
Lep trenutak ujutru na trznici stoke.
Zelim vam mirnu noc, sve najbolje za vikend, srecno.
Paja.

Good evening.
A nice view and a moment, interesting and good text ...
Good work with nice photographs in the workshop, beautifully shown, good contours, nice colors, a nice caught moment.
Nice moment in the cattle market in the morning.
I wish you a quiet night, all the best for the weekend, happy.

ChrisJ (171392) 2018-02-02 6:06

Hello Abmdsudi,

This reminds me of the Miningkabau people of west Sumatera. Good use of the diagonal body of the buffalo. Excellent sharpness and framing. The people add scale. Tfs!

ktanska (44492) 2018-02-02 9:26

Hi Abmdsudi,
You were super close to this buffalo. And that certainly gives extra power to this shot. 10mm angle certainly works. This also has strong local ambience.
Kari

lucasgalodoido (27698) 2018-02-02 12:26

Olá Abmdsudi,
interessante mesmo essa captura desses fortes búfalos. As imagens ficaram igualmente ótimas. Belo trabalho.
Parabéns e Abraço

alvaraalto (42804) 2018-02-02 14:36

Hello Abmdsudi
Your position just behind the buffalo gives the scene a very special composition with the perspective deformation of the dark grey body of the buffalo. Together with the nice face of the man in front makes this a fascinating scene.
Have a good weekend, groet Rob

Cricri (176) 2018-02-02 22:27

Hi Abmdsudi
La prise donne un effet de grosseur et de longueur original au buffle, j'aime la scčne si proche des personnes, les deux WS sont trčs jolies aussi, bonne netteté et couleurs
Belle journée
cricri

papagolf21 (152607) 2018-02-02 22:44

Bonjour, cher Abmdsudi,
Merci de nous servir de guide-conférencier de qualité, ainsi, nous pouvons mieux apprécier les prises de vue et comprendre la vie quotidienne des habitants.
Les images sont trčs naturelles et prises sur le vif (spontanéité).
Amitiés.
Philippe

Tue (91700) 2018-02-03 0:41

Hello Abmdsudi,
Excellent photo of this market. Superb POV and composition, which placed the buffalos large body so well in the foreground. The texture of its fur of very small hairs looks wonderful and you captured it very well with great sharpness. The people are also well included and the town makes a good backdrop.
Lars

jhm (211734) 2018-02-03 0:56

Hello Abmdsudi,

It seems or the people are not afraid of the water buffaloes.
An excellent depth and perspective picture
Composition and presentation are superb.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

Nicou (193806) 2018-02-03 1:55

Hello

De sacrées cornes quelle image et scčne quel rendu sur le poil superbe captage et une bien bel animal bien portant génial vue de ce marché.
Bravo et amitié
Nicou

Silvio1953 (220775) 2018-02-03 4:11

Ciao Abmdsudi, nice daily life scene, excellent clarity, fine details and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

jmdias (114402) 2018-03-14 16:15

abmdsudi

curious aspect of these buffaloes, in special from this angle and interacting with people. nice job.

take care

jorge