Photographer: Alida Latham, Seattle Image Title: Flores Flautist Category: Indigenous Cultures   Technical Details: Canon EOS-1, Agfa Scala 200 Film; other details not recorded Location: Ende Region, Flores Island, Indonesia Description: The Portuguese colonized Flores Island, one of the "Spice Islands" of eastern Indonesia, in the 16th century. Their influence persists in the music played by the Catholic/Animist inhabitants. Gathered on the porch of the village school, a group of musicians played haunting music for the visitors.   Traditional societies all over the world are changing, with accompanying loss of their unique skills and ways of life. I use photography to document cultural artifacts and artisans, and the lives of the people who use them. All societies today face powerful forces for change.   I try to pay attention to the most perishable aspects of what I see.   I have long been interested in textiles, jewelry, and other traditional cultural artifacts. Driven initially by an interest in collecting artifacts and observing how they are made, in 1990 I began traveling extensively to visit the societies that produce them. My initial curiosity was quickly overtaken by an acute awareness of the speed with which traditional societies all over the world are changing, with accompanying loss of their unique skills and ways of life.   I use photography to document cultural artifacts and artisans, and the lives of the people who use them. All societies today face powerful forces for change. I try to pay attention to the most perishable aspects of what I see.   Please contact me directly if interested in these or other travel images.   Alida Latham Phone: 206 329 2532 E-mail: photos@ikat.net   Return to 2003 Galleries | Return to 2003 Indigenous Cultures Gallery     Home | Contact Us | Copyright