honorable mention
VALERIE LEONARD france
title
THE GUARDIANS OF THE FORBIDDEN FOREST
In Indonesia, in the province of Banten to the west of Jakarta, the Baduys voluntarily live away from the modern world since the 16th century from within a tropical forest in a protected region of more than 5000 hectares. They respect the Pikuku, a system of more than 600 strict rules. Everything that is modern is taboo. Electricity is banned, government education, the change of the course of a river, the soap, the shoes ... They apply the concept of “no change” or “the least possible change”: "what is short must not be lengthened, what is long should not be shortened ". When they cut a tree, they have to plant another one the same day. They grow rice for food and depend only on rain for its cultivation. Their forest has remained intact since their arrival in the region.
They are animists. They believe in the spirits inhabiting rocks, trees, streams, the sun, the sky, the earth... "If we respect the rules, these spirits do good things, if we do not respect them, they do bad things".
The community of around 13,000 members has been divided in two groups – The Baduys Dalam, dressed in white and black and the Baduys Luar, dressed in blue and black.
The protection they have received from the regional authorities is due to the mystical powers they are thought to have. However, with the inevitable changes in modern civilization, the Baduys’ increasing contact with the outside world, and the intensifying of religious pressure, their culture and their own territory could be in jeopardy.
When she presses the shutter, she remembers the doctrine of her father: "Always tell the Truth, but in terms of Beauty".
Valerie Leonard strives for her work to embody to this search for truth and beauty of human beings, whatever their origin or wealth.
Far from seeking aesthetic or false compassion, she wants to show the dignity of these women and men, in particularly hostile environments.
Throughout her trips around the world she focused her work particularly on a theme that she named “Labours of Hercules”.
A series of photographs where she attempts to show with utmost respect and admiration the nobility and courage of those living in difficult conditions.
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entry description
There is a community in this world, which is convinced of being the guardian of the cosmic balance of our universe.In Indonesia, in the province of Banten to the west of Jakarta, the Baduys voluntarily live away from the modern world since the 16th century from within a tropical forest in a protected region of more than 5000 hectares. They respect the Pikuku, a system of more than 600 strict rules. Everything that is modern is taboo. Electricity is banned, government education, the change of the course of a river, the soap, the shoes ... They apply the concept of “no change” or “the least possible change”: "what is short must not be lengthened, what is long should not be shortened ". When they cut a tree, they have to plant another one the same day. They grow rice for food and depend only on rain for its cultivation. Their forest has remained intact since their arrival in the region.
They are animists. They believe in the spirits inhabiting rocks, trees, streams, the sun, the sky, the earth... "If we respect the rules, these spirits do good things, if we do not respect them, they do bad things".
The community of around 13,000 members has been divided in two groups – The Baduys Dalam, dressed in white and black and the Baduys Luar, dressed in blue and black.
The protection they have received from the regional authorities is due to the mystical powers they are thought to have. However, with the inevitable changes in modern civilization, the Baduys’ increasing contact with the outside world, and the intensifying of religious pressure, their culture and their own territory could be in jeopardy.
about the photographer
Born in Paris, french-american, Valerie Leonard has always been surrounded by a world of images. Her mother was a painter, and her father, photographer, Herman Leonard.When she presses the shutter, she remembers the doctrine of her father: "Always tell the Truth, but in terms of Beauty".
Valerie Leonard strives for her work to embody to this search for truth and beauty of human beings, whatever their origin or wealth.
Far from seeking aesthetic or false compassion, she wants to show the dignity of these women and men, in particularly hostile environments.
Throughout her trips around the world she focused her work particularly on a theme that she named “Labours of Hercules”.
A series of photographs where she attempts to show with utmost respect and admiration the nobility and courage of those living in difficult conditions.
back to gallery