In southern Bolivia, in the transitional region between the barren foothills of the Andes and the wetter valleys of the Tariquía National Flora and Fauna Reserve. Smallholders on the slopes and in the valleys mainly grow maize, wheat and barley. The picture shows the traditional method of winnowing (separating the chaff from the wheat or grain) by hand. The farmers toss the threshed grain high into the air using pitchforks or shovels. The wind blows the light chaff (husk and straw remnants) to one side. The heavier grains fall straight down to the ground and are thus collected cleanly. This method has been used for thousands of years. It requires no machinery and relies solely on the power of the wind. – Bolivia – 1976

Threshing grain is a traditional agricultural technique in which grains are separated from the chaff by dropping them into the wind from a certain height. A woman lifts a basket to clean the grain in the wind, whilst a man sits on the ground and sifts the grain. It is likely to be pearl millet. In Hindi and the local Rajasthani language, this nutrient-rich grain is called bajra. It is extremely drought-resistant and a staple food for the people in this desert region (e.g. in the form of bajre ki roti, a flatbread). – Area around Jodhpur – 1990

A man is sitting on the ground, sifting the grain. It is likely pearl millet. In Hindi and the local language Rajasthani, this nutrient-rich grain is called bajra. It is extremely drought-resistant and a staple food for the people in this desert region (e.g. in the form of bajre ki roti, a flatbread). – Area around Jodhpur – 1990

A woman is performing the ritual known as ‘threshing’, in which grain (such as millet or wheat) is thrown into the air so that the wind separates the lighter chaff from the heavier grains. The woman is wearing many bracelets, which are an essential status symbol for married women in Rajasthan. Wearing many bracelets – particularly those made of materials such as coloured glass, clay or the traditional lac (resin) – indicates that a woman is married and symbolically serves to ensure her husband’s protection, health and long life. – Jodhpur area – 1990

A man from the Rabari community, an indigenous group of nomads and herders. Rabari men traditionally wear very large, voluminous white turbans. The way the turban is wrapped and the pattern (here a subtle floral print) can often provide clues as to the specific region or social status. Wearing large gold earrings and several beaded necklaces is an integral part of the male traditional costume and serves both as decoration and as an expression of wealth. – Jodhpur area – 1990

A woman from the Rabari community is piling the grain she has winnowed into a heap. She is wearing many bangles, which are an essential status symbol for married women in Rajasthan. Wearing many bracelets – particularly those made from materials such as coloured glass, clay or the traditional lac (resin) – indicates that a woman is married and symbolically serves to ensure her husband’s protection, health and long life. – Jodhpur area – 1990

A woman is performing the ritual known as ‘threshing’, in which grain (such as millet or wheat) is thrown into the air so that the wind separates the lighter chaff from the heavier grains. The woman is wearing many bracelets, which are an essential status symbol for married women in Rajasthan. Wearing many bracelets – particularly those made of materials such as coloured glass, clay or the traditional lac (resin) – indicates that a woman is married and symbolically serves to ensure her husband’s protection, health and long life. – Jodhpur area – 1990

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