Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Some things never change (7) – Rubber tapping and processing

Among the photos that Geoffrey Pain sent me are several about rubber tapping and processing. These photos were a gift from a friend to his dad and hence he isn’t sure whether they were taken in Malaysia or Singapore. If you compare them with those taken by me in Yong Peng last year, you will see that things have not changed much in nearly half a century.

Set no. 1 – Geoffrey Pain’s Photos (mid-1960’s)


Set no. 2 – My photos (2009)


4 comments:

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

The nearest I came to touching rubber trees was in the 70s when we drove to the East Coast of Malaysia.

With open car windows, we just stretched out our hands and slowly passed by the trees along the way, touching the leaves and low hanging branches as we went.

And the rubber tappers were in full swing too.

Merry Xmas and A Happy New Year my good friend.

Zen said...

After spending about some twenty minutes in a yong peng rubber estate, my sister and I quickly took cover in a pickup truck, away from fierce attacking mosquitos. Meanwhile brave chun see was busily taking photo shots of abandoned durians from mischievious monkeys. On reflection I really salute those humble rubber tappers eking out a decent living in hostile environment so that the world can enjoy convenience of rubber products made out of from their labour.

Redstorm said...

I believe the pictures were taken in Malaysia. If you look at one of pictures showing a lady tapper and a child, they look more like Orang Asli than a Malay.

Lam Chun See said...

Yeah. I also think that the old photos were taken in Malaysia.