We joined a group of people to help cut thatch in a field.
Thatch is a material traditionally used when making roofs in Japan. This tradition has long become a thing of the past but there are still handful of people who live in a thatched roof house and keep the tradition alive.
The house we moved into in April also has thatched roof. Like most of the existing thatched roof houses around here, our roof has metal cover that sits on top of the thatch. The metal cover is rusting and will be in need of repair so we were already exploring ideas but thatch was not at all on our mind. Though one thing led to another, we were introduced to people who run an organization that coordinate labor and material for thatched roof repairs.
It is the time of the year when thatch need to be cut and collected from the field so we joined them one autumn day.
When we arrived at the field, people were already working. They are mostly old people from the area.
The thatch is about as tall as Brian.
Our children initially complained that they were bored but they all eventually found ways to help and kept going until…
Snack time! Everyone must take a tea/coffee break and join in the chat.
The old people love taking a long break. Children love eating all the snack. Grandma especially love feeding children. One grandma was bummed she did not bring more for children only if she knew they were coming.
Children helping loading the truck. I was surprised how long they kept at it.
Mid afternoon was when children finally run out of concentration and started up again. It was time for us all to go as we saw off the truck.
It was a labor intensive day but I really enjoyed being in the field. I liked both working and interacting with the local people. In March they are repairing a roof with the thatch we collected today. We will join them for that so stay tuned for more posts on all things thatched!
