Nyimas Laula, an Indonesian photojournalist, recently captured the beauty of traditional Indonesian herbal drink making in Sukoharjo, Central Java. She visited the home of Mulatsih and her mother Giyem, who start their day at 4am making jamu, a drink made from roots and leaves like ginger, turmeric, temulawak, papaya leaves, and sambiloto leaves.
Giyem, a jamu gendong or “jamu lady,” learned the craft to support her family and put her children through school after being widowed at a young age. She passed on her knowledge to Mulatsih, who now sells jamu and snacks like fried tempeh and nasi uduk in the neighborhood.
Nyimas wanted to capture the beauty in the modesty of where the jamu is made, showing the mundane routine and community that shapes the lives of these women. The goal of the project was to highlight their dedication and passion for making affordable jamu for everyone.
The tradition of making and consuming jamu in the morning holds cultural significance in Indonesia. Different types of jamu are recommended for different purposes, like increasing appetite or reducing menstrual cramps.
Through her portraits, Nyimas hoped to show the collective care and dedication these women have for making jamu accessible to everyone. In a time where self-care is emphasized, the jamu tradition reminds us about the importance of caring for our collective well-being.
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Photo credit www.theguardian.com