11.18.09
The women of the tea fields deserve our thanks
posted by Naja Hayward | 4 comments
I recently returned from three weeks abroad during which I traveled through the tea estates of Southern India.
One thing I discovered during my travels was that we take for granted the leaves that we love. More specifically, we take for granted the people who pick the leaves that we love, and these people are mostly women who work an average of six days a week for not much more than $1.50 per day.
I met a group of women who made me smile with their curiosity and generosity on a morning walk through the Tata Tea estates (which was completely by accident, mind you!). I wandered up a hill, alone in the peace and tranquility of the early misty morning. I took in the sights and sounds, when - quite suddenly - one by one, these women with large bushels on their heads walked passed, steadily and gracefully on a mission toward the rolling tea fields.
As a tea lover who loves more than just the drink these leaves make, but every aspect of what this industry offers, I was enthralled by the vision of bright saris and beautiful brown women working so that you and I can have an excellent cup of tea. I realized as I received a first-hand lesson from one of these kind souls that, although I knew women were the ideal tea pickers for their delicate hands, they have a strength that only comes from working in fields with little reward or thanks and surviving it. And they do this with pride and a work ethic that is rarely seen today.
So I want to thank the women who make my favorite cup of tea possible. Thank you for your dedication to making the number two beverage possible. Check out my video of these amazing women.
November 18th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Naja
What a beautiful evocation your video is, capturing the soul and spirit of a tough but gentle, hardworking and unsung population without whom we would not enjoy one of the great pleasures of life….I have visited Munnar and much of the Nilgiris tea growing region and this visual brought back beauiful memories…We can only be grateful that the more enlightened tea estates provide childcare, education and rudimentary health care for these wonderful folks and their families…Thanks for sharing…
November 19th, 2009 at 9:36 am
I watched the YouTube video of the tea pickers. It was precious and I’d like to see more of it. It’s amazing how those women walk by with big bags of tea leaves balanced perfectly on their heads.
November 20th, 2009 at 11:02 am
I saw this when you posted it and could not wait to respond… Thank you for sharing this and causing our eyes to be cast on someone other then ourselves this season!
November 20th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Naja, thanks for sharing your experience, which reminds me of my India trip a few years ago. I also noticed the very important roles women play in India, in every aspect of life and living.