First Wonder Goes Deepest: Wheat

"Walk softly, O man, past an acre of wheat,
With awe in your heart and your face.
Walk humbly, O man, and with reverent feet,
For strength slumbers here - Can't you feel its heart beat?
And beauty's own couch is an acre of wheat,
And holiness dwells in this place."

Last May - Abbi and Miriam clearing land for planting.

Clearing land, planting seed and harvesting take a great deal of manpower when modern machinery isn't implemented. With this in mind, Didinga gather together for what they consider, "community work". Payment is in the form of "merte" - beer - and the unsaid promise that the work crew will eventually move onto your own field. Think American colonial barn raising.


Lokang, Fiona, me and Miriam clearing land last May.

The Harvest! - Threshing wheat this past week.


Trey Mims took this dandy last February.

I actually really enjoy threshing wheat. Though it is back-breaking work (in the literal sense), it is fun. Whistles are blown or songs sang to keep everyone's thrashing in rhythm and to ensure that no one falls behind. It somehow reminds me a bit of dancing or marching - Didinga people also really get into it, laughing and teasing one another (usually me), which is great!

Lokang wanted his picture taken. He's been threshing wheat (and drunk) everyday for the last month. I love Lokang! He's like the teasing, loud-mouthed, hilarious older brother I never had.