Home > Asia > India > Related Images
Young woman tapping a rubber tree, Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
Young woman tapping a rubber tree, Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
Young woman tapping a rubber tree, Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Date: circa 1910
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 14410290
© Mary Evans / Pharcide
Bark Ceylon Extraction Lanka Liquid Pots Process Rubber Tapping Trunk Worker
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Asia
> India
> Related Images
> Asia
> Sri Lanka
> Related Images
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the essence of the rubber industry in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) during the early 1910s, a time when the British Empire held significant influence over the island nation. The image shows a young woman, dressed in traditional Indian attire, skillfully tapping the bark of a rubber tree. Rubber trees, with their distinctive trunks and large, glossy leaves, can be seen in the background. Rubber tapping was a labor-intensive process that required a great deal of patience and dexterity. Women and girls were often employed for this task due to their smaller stature and nimble fingers. Using a small wooden tapper, they would make incisions in the tree bark to allow the sap to flow into collecting pots. The sap was then harvested daily and heated to produce latex, which was used to make various products, including rubber bands, tires, and gloves. The rubber industry in Ceylon was a significant contributor to the British Empire's economy during the colonial era. The demand for rubber, driven by the burgeoning automobile industry, led to large-scale plantations and the exploitation of local labor. This photograph offers a rare glimpse into the lives of the women who played a crucial role in the rubber production process, providing a window into the past and the rich history of Ceylon's industrial heritage.
MADE IN AUSTRALIA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
