Bearing the Burden

Here are three grab shots off the back of a motorcycle.  The images are rather poor, but it accurately reflects the hard labor of many of the village women.  In a land where pickups are scarce, women seem to be the main mode of transport.  Everything is packed this way; laundry, firewood, stones, feed for cattle.  Except for babies which are slung around the shoulder, everything else is carried by means of a broad strap across the forehead.  I can't image the strain some of these loads must put on the neck!  What about backpacks? you ask.  Well, I witnessed one woman step off a bus, wrap her backpack and other belongings in the loop of a sari and place it over her forehead.  Then she started the hike to her village.