Traditional Methods Collection

A Hadza hunter wearing a baboon skin returns to camp with a haunch of impala over his shoulder. He killed the antelope with a metal-tipped arrow that had been dipped in a fast-acting vegetable poison

The Turkana spear-fish in the shallow waters of Lake Turkana. The wooden shaft has a detachable metal tip with a sharp barb, which is secured to the end of a long piece of rope

A Hadza hunter fledges an arrow shaft
A Hadza hunter wearing a baboon skin fledges an arrow shaft with guinea fowl feathers using the sinews of an antelope.The Hadzabe are a thousand-strong community of hunter-gatherers who have lived in

The extinct volcano at Chew Bet in southern Ethiopia has a dark, seasonal lake at the bottom of its deep, steep-sided crater. Borana tribesmen harvest salt there for their livestock

Detail of the dovetailed corner a log cabin, Nulato, Interior Alaska, Alaska, USA
Detail of the dovetailed corner construction from a weathered log cabin in winter; Nulato, Interior Alaska, Alaska, United States of America

A !Kung hunter-gatherer stands ready to accompany his friends on a hunt. His bow and arrows are kept in a soft leather pouch slung over his shoulder

A Hadza hunter checks the straightness of a new arrow shaft
A Hadza hunter wearing the skins of a baboon and genet cat checks the straightness of a new arrow shaft, fledged with guinea fowl feathers.The Hadzabe are a thousand-strong community of

A Tea Picker with his Transistor radio heads for home at the end of the day at a Tea Plantation near Mzuzu

Tools for making wine barrels in the coopers workshop at Muga winery

An old bottling machine inside a disused winery in the village of Abalos

Cabrales cheese is a regional speciality of Asturias. A fiercely strong blue cheese, it is made locally and stored in caves in the limestone hills of the Picos de Europa

A potter fashions cooking pots by the coil method, shaping them by eye alone. Surprisingly, craft skills such as pottery and basket-making are the sole preserve of men in Southwest Uganda

A man carries traditional split-bamboo baskets to sell at Kisoro market. Most women in Southwest Uganda carry their farm produce to market in these attractive baskets balanced on their heads

Most women in Southwest Uganda carry their farm produce to market in attractive split-bamboo baskets balanced on their heads. The baskets are made exclusively by men

A young man carries a wicker fish trap, which is used to catch fish in river estuaries. Rwenshama is an important fishing village on the shores of Lake Edward

Small fish caught in Lake Albert are hot-smoked before being transported to towns and trading centres elsewhere in the country

A skilled craftsman puts the finishes touches to a replica of a Pate Island chair. Wood carving is the most important craft in Lamu and sustains the greatest number of artisans

Ponies trample corn to remove the grain in a typical rural setting outside Shashemene. Depending on the availability of animals, a farmer may use ponies, donkeys or oxen for this purpose

Donkeys trample corn to remove the grain in a typical rural setting between Ziway and Butajira. Depending on the availability of animals, a farmer may use ponies, donkeys or oxen for this purpose

Hindu weavers working at a loom (litho)
KW258413 Hindu weavers working at a loom (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; Ken Welsh; English, out of copyright

Candelabra hedge, Ethiopia C017 / 7618
Candelabra hedge. The hedge consists of candelabra trees (Euphorbium candelabrum). This make a barrier impenetrable to livestock. This settlement is within the Oromo tribal district

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

Traditional methods have stood the test of time, preserving ancient wisdom and cultural heritage. From the skilled Hadza hunter meticulously fletching an arrow shaft to the Turkana spear-fishing in Lake Turkana's shallow waters, these practices connect us to our ancestors and their deep-rooted knowledge. In southern Ethiopia, a dormant volcano at Chew Bet looms ominously, reminding us of the secrets held within its dark depths. Meanwhile, in Nulato, Interior Alaska, a log cabin showcases intricate dovetailed corners that exemplify craftsmanship passed down through generations. The. Kung hunter-gatherer stands poised for adventure as he prepares to embark on another journey into nature's bounty. With precision and care, a Hadza hunter ensures his new arrow shaft is perfectly straight before setting off on his hunt. In distant lands like Malawi's Shire Valley or bustling leather tanneries where workers immerse themselves in dyeing pits, traditional methods continue to sustain livelihoods and preserve traditions. In workshops around the world, tools used for crafting wine barrels echo with centuries-old techniques employed by coopers at Muga winery. Even abandoned wineries hold remnants of past glory; an old bottling machine silently tells stories of bygone eras in Abalos village. Amidst modernity's rapid pace and technological advancements, these glimpses into traditional methods remind us of our roots - they are not just relics from the past but living threads connecting us to our history. As we witness a tea picker heading home with his transistor radio or a woman picking cotton under the scorching sun in southern Malawi’s low-lying valley – we see how tradition intertwines with contemporary life. These snapshots capture moments frozen in time - reminders that traditional methods persist despite changing landscapes. They serve as gentle whispers urging us not to forget our origins while embracing progress; for it is through honoring tradition that we can truly appreciate innovation's transformative power.