15 August 2011

Profiling Coconuts on Sulawesi

The coconut is known for its great versatility as seen in the many culinary and nonculinary uses of its different parts and found throughout the tropics and subtropics; virtually every part of the coconut palm can be used by humans in some manner and has significant economic value. The coconuts' versatility is sometimes noted in its naming: (i) in Sanskrit, it is "the tree which provides all the necessities of life" aka kalpa vriksha, and (ii) in the Malay language, it is "the tree of a thousand uses" aka pokok seribu guna. Near Palu on Central Sulawesi lives a local artist who carves funny coconut heads, depicting his neighbours.

people, street portrait, local artist, coconut art, hand-carved coconut head, carving coconut heads, Indonesia, Central Sulawesi, Tanjung Karang, Facing the World, © Matt Hahnewald

coconut art, hand-carved coconut head, Indonesia, Central Sulawesi, Tanjung Karang, Facing the World, © Matt Hahnewald

coconut art, hand-carved coconut head, Indonesia, Central Sulawesi, Tanjung Karang, Facing the World, © Matt Hahnewald

coconut art, hand-carved coconut head, Indonesia, Central Sulawesi, Tanjung Karang, Facing the World, © Matt Hahnewald