Onbekende personen voor huizen op palen before 1895

"Onbekende personen voor huizen op palen" is a photograph by Michel Berthaud, published in a book. Berthaud, who lived during a time of intense colonial expansion, captured images that provide a glimpse into worlds vastly different from his own. This image presents a stark depiction of life in a landscape marked by what appears to be traditional stilt houses. It invites us to consider the cultural and societal structures inherent in the scene. Who are these ‘unknown people’ and what is their relationship to the land and their homes? What does it mean to document a culture, particularly when the power dynamic is skewed by colonial narratives? Consider the implications of viewing this photograph through a contemporary lens, acknowledging both its historical value and its potential to perpetuate unequal power structures. It encourages a reflection on how we engage with images of cultures not our own, and to question the stories they tell.