Sri Lanka - Kandy - Outside the temple of Buddha

The picture shows an Asian elephant accompanied by two people, known as mahouts. One of the mahouts is sitting on the elephant's back, while the other is walking alongside the animal on a road. Mahouts form a lifelong, close bond with their elephants and are responsible for their care, feeding and training. These working elephants are often used to transport heavy loads, in forestry or in cultural processions. – Kandy region, Sri Lanka – 1990

Traditional ox cart in Sri Lanka, used to transport agricultural goods. Such carts were a very common means of transport in rural areas. The cart is pulled by two zebus (humped cattle), which are known for their endurance and adaptability to hot climates. – 1990

Shop sign in Kandy, Sri Lanka, bearing the inscription “Golden Tea Store”, advertising various agricultural products such as tea, coffee, cocoa and spices. The sign features text in three languages: Sinhala, Tamil and English. This is typical of the linguistic diversity in Sri Lanka. – 1990

An elderly woman in traditional dress, photographed at the market in Kandy – 1990

Buddhist monks in front of a white stupa (also called a dagoba) outside the grounds of the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) in Kandy, which is considered one of the holiest places in Buddhism because it houses a relic of Buddha's tooth. – 1990

A monk with a parasol walks along the outer wall of Sri Dalada Maligawa, also known as the Temple of the Tooth. – Kandy, Sri Lanka – 1990

Stupa (also called dagoba) on the grounds of the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) in Kandy. – 1990

A small grocery shop known as ‘J.T. Traders’ in Kandy. Various staple foods such as grains, legumes and sugar are sold here, displayed in large sacks in front of the shop. The salespeople prepare the goods for customers or weigh them on traditional scales. Advertising posters for products such as ‘Nestomalt’ are displayed on the wall. – 1990

At the market in Kandy, a man dressed in traditional clothing offers small fruits for sale. At first glance, the fruits resemble tomatoes, but they are actually Indian jujubes, also known as ‘Sri Lankan apples’ or simply ‘ber’. They taste crisp and sweet like apples and are eaten fresh or dried. – 1990

A man sells moringa pods at the market in Kandy. These long, green pods come from the horseradish tree (Moringa oleifera) and are cultivated as a vegetable. They are rich in vitamins and minerals. – Sri Lanka – 1990

A spice shop in the holy city of Kandy in the mountainous highlands of Sri Lanka. In addition to other foodstuffs, the shopkeeper stocks a remarkable variety of spices – formerly known as “spezereien”. Fortunately, these picturesque shops, where you are greeted with a friendly smile, have not yet been displaced by supermarkets. - 1990

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