Sea Shore Sky

Sea Shore SkyTHE STORY Along the sun drenched shores of West Java, Pak Ratimin guides his buffaloes through the shallow surf, their sturdy frames moving in unison with the rolling tide. At 70, he carries on a tradition passed down by his father, who once walked this very coastline with his own herd. As a child, he would often trail behind, skipping school out of boredom, drawn instead to the quiet rhythm of the animals lives. Over time, what began as youthful

ᝰ THE STORY

Along the sun-drenched shores of West Java, Pak Ratimin guides his buffaloes through the shallow surf, their sturdy frames moving in unison with the rolling tide. At 70, he carries on a tradition passed down by his father, who once walked this very coastline with his own herd. As a child, he would often trail behind, skipping school out of boredom, drawn instead to the quiet rhythm of the animals’ lives. Over time, what began as youthful defiance became devotion, forging an unspoken bond between man and beast.

Sea Shore Sky captures this enduring connection, set against the vast expanse where land, water, and air converge. With practiced ease, Pak Ratimin leads his four buffaloes to the sea, where they wade in and bathe, the salt spray mixing with the golden light of dusk. They respond to his touch, to the subtle shifts in his voice. Such a proof of years spent together, a silent understanding written in the movements between them.

For over 5,000 years, the buffalo has stood beside the people of Indonesia, its presence woven into the fabric of daily life. Once indispensable in agriculture, providing strength for plowing, milk for nourishment, and even a role in sacred ceremonies, the animal is now a rarer sight. Modern machinery has replaced its labor, yet among those who still honor the old ways, the buffalo remains more than livestock. It is a heritage, a history, and a companion in the ever-changing landscape of time.

📍Tasikmalaya, Jawa Barat  🗓 2022