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Tea plantation workers, Ceylon, Sri Lanka
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Tea plantation workers, Ceylon, Sri Lanka
Vintage 19th century photograph: tea plantation workers, Ceylon, Sri Lanka
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Media ID 23446932
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This evocative vintage photograph captures a moment in the rich history of tea production in Ceylon, now known as Sri Lanka. Taken in the late 19th century, the image presents a group of tea plantation workers, their faces etched with the marks of toil and the weight of tradition. Dressed in simple, cotton clothing and barefoot, they are seen here carefully tending to the lush tea bushes, their hands deftly plucking the tender leaves. The ethnographic significance of this photograph lies in its portrayal of the indigenous people who played a crucial role in the development of the tea industry in Ceylon. The workers in this image are likely to be from the local Tamil or Sinhalese communities, who were brought in as laborers from the surrounding areas to work on the plantations. The British, who had colonized the island in the late 18th century, introduced tea cultivation in the mid-19th century, and the industry grew rapidly, employing thousands of local workers. Despite the challenges and hardships faced by the workers, this photograph also reveals the deep connection they had with the land and the traditions of tea cultivation. The workers' traditional attire, their tools, and their laborious yet rhythmic movements all speak to the rich cultural heritage that underpinned the tea industry in Ceylon. This image offers a glimpse into the early days of tea production, a time when the industry was still in its infancy and the workers' labor was essential to its growth. As we look at this photograph, we are transported back in time, to an era of colonialism, cultural exchange, and the birth of a global industry. It serves as a reminder of the human stories that lie behind the production of our daily cup of tea and the enduring legacy of tea culture in Sri Lanka.
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