Ketong Kuat
'Ketong kuat' means 'we are strong' in Kupang Malay. These photos were taken during my fieldwork in the villages of Tuntun and Faennake in West Timor, where I spent a month researching swidden agriculture—a rotational farming system where land is cleared by fire and left to regenerate over time. This practice is deeply rooted in indigenous land-use traditions and remains the most widespread form of agriculture in West Timor. Despite facing challenges such as prolonged droughts, scarce water access, increasing land pressures, and government policies discouraging traditional practices, the people of West Timor remain resilient, always finding ways to maintain food security and adapt while holding onto their cultural identity. This series tries to captures both the beauty and the struggle of life in rural West Timor. Through these images, I hope to share not just the unique landscapes but also the spirit of a people navigating change with strength and optimism.