Product Description
Antique Sumatran Rice Cutter Ani-Ani 4
Material: Wood, iron blade
Style: Sumatra, Indonesia
Size: Handle: Width 5 cm (bottom)
Order Number: MHSSRC4
Rice is the world’s most important crop and the staple food of half the world’s population. In most parts of Indonesia rice is the staple food. Rice cultivation is accompanied by many rituals and beliefs and the tools were decorated by the rice farmers or specialists.
The fields must be kept flooded while the plants are growing. Yellow-green shoots sprout up in the silvery water. The rice grows tall and green. When the tops droop, the plants are mature and ready to harvest.
Rice cutters were used to cut the ears of rice at harvesting time. They cut the ears of grain (padi) one by one very carefully, and tried not to lose any grains. They were then tied into bundles and stored in the granary.
They used the hand knife so that it did not hurt or frighten the rice or be offensive to the rice goddess. Now rice is harvested with a sickle, but some farmers still have a special field in the corner for traditional rice and harvest it with the hand knife.
Very nice patina.
Early – mid 20th century.
Girl going home after picking rice with an ani-ani in her hair (1935).
Map of Lampung, Sumatra.
Please ask for the price (or make an offer).
