Rice, with a Balinese Slant...

The first time that I saw rice growing in South East Asia I was mesmerised by the sheer brilliance of the colour of this emerald green crop. Rice growing in Bali has transformed the natural landscape and the island is abundant with spectacular rice terraces carved out of the rich, volcanic, fecund earth. The rice cycle in Bali lasts for three months, so they manage to harvest rice three times a year. It is an incredibly thirsty and labour intensive crop involving highly advanced agricultural techniques. 

Rice growing is the fabric of Balinese life and their culture incorporates a daily ritual where rice is presented as an offering to the Balinese Gods.

At the beginning of the rice cycle the paddies are

 flooded and ploughed and then the rice seeds

 are planted into a small section of the irrigated paddy.

Once the seedlings have grown, they are transplanted...

Individually by hand, into the mud...

Only with the nutrients from the rich soil and constant

 submersion in water can the rice seedling flourish.

As many as 10,000 seedlings are planted at one time...

The rice fields have their own eco-systems. 

Tiny snails, fish, and eels are 'harvested'
 from the flooded paddies.

The rice paddies and terraces have ancient 

 and complex irrigation systems in place.

The rice here has been growing for around three weeks...

And of course the Balinese ducks are in their element 

and play a huge part in the Balinese rice cycle...

Sooooo green...

Rice here is nearly ripe for harvesting...

I noticed flocks of tiny birds hovering like insects in the rice plumes.

Like giant steps...

The rice is around a metre in height when it is harvested.

Each rice plant will have hundreds of seeds.

Lush rice terraces can be seen all over the island...

Spectacular scenery of volcano, tropical plants 

and rice terraces. The rice workers are resting in the bale.

Man at one with the landscape...

Rice is grown here on a small, steep parcel
 of land that leads down to the sea...

Hand-sculpted tier upon tier...

The rice is ready for harvesting.

 The rice stems are cut with a small sharp knife and then tied into bundles...

Then the rice is threshed...

To separate the grain from the chaff...

The ducks are fattened up as they clean up

 any stray rice seeds left behind after harvesting.

Time for a break...

Golden fields of ripened rice.

The rice is traditionally harvested by women...

And is finally laid out to dry in the hot sun before being stored.

OK, I know that I look ridiculous but I am wearing 

an old-fashioned Balinese sun hat that 

was specifically worn when working in the rice fields.

 Just a little too awkward and heavy for me...

A Balinese ceremony taking place at a sea temple.

During temple prayer the priest will press a few grains of 

rice to the forehead, temple and throat of worshippers, 

with the final few eaten and sprinkled on the head.

Daily offerings include flowers, incense and rice.
Everyday a little rice is placed on a banana leaf as an offering.

Beautiful Balinese offerings at a temple in Ubud.

The rice goddess 'Dewi Sri' is the most favoured 

manifestation of God amongst the Balinese people.

"Bali belongs to the Gods. The inhabitants are no more than transitory tenants of the land, who cultivate it and are nourished from its yield during the short span of the body's residence on earth. People die, but the earth remains the property of the Gods."

JANE BELO: BALI TEMPLE FESTIVAL 1953