"We had leave very fast as Dilmaya was waiting to go up to the forest to cut leaves for the buffalo, and Alan wanted to film there. We met others walking up, including Budibahadur poju's wife and a daughter of Jusbahadur. Kamiri from above also with us, and a small girl [Debikumari, House42]. We went far, passed a 'pro' where sons of Tilochan watch buffalo and make 'cugu'. Then down again into thicker undergrowth. It took us two and a half hours to get there. Legs rather wobbly. They cut and cut, climbing into trees and hanging over cliff sides, for two hours and ten minutes, then Dilmaya decided it was time to return. Kamiri said she had only a small bundle as she'd had less time than usual, but Dilmaya was concerned that we shouldn't be bored. Just wished we could have done something useful instead of feeling utterly useless. No way we could have carried the weight of the leaves without breaking our necks or backs. The walk back took two hours twenty-five minutes, laden as they were, but mercifully much of it downhill. Dilmaya then went into the house and produced 'prokeh' - 'chura' and tea, and now I expect she is cooking supper." (Diary)
Film sequence:
Dilmaya sharpening the sickle or ashi on a stone
Dilmaya removing a spinter from Tilkumari's finger
Women walking through the forest
Women walking down a narrow path through a wood
Women walking through a wood
Dilmaya cutting leaves of branches for fodder
Dilmaya scrambling up bank and cutting fodder
Dilmaya cutting fodder above
Ferns and vegetation
Dilmaya cutting fodder
Dilmaya tying up bundles of fodder
Dilmaya lifting load of fodder onto her back
Dilmaya tying up bundles of leaves, just two days feed for her buffalo
Dilmaya tying up bundle of leaves for Debikumari and then helps her lift it onto her back
Dilmaya carrying a very heavy load of fodder
Dilmaya and other women carrying loads of fodder up the path
Women carrying fodder. Pan up to cliff above the path
Closeup of Dilmaya's feet as she walks along carrying fodder
Women stopping for a rest
pan down to terraces and children playing in the school yard below
Women running down the steps from the school with fodder
Women walking into the village with fodder
Dilmaya arriving at our house with fodder
putting it in buffalo house. Untying bundle and feeding some to the buffalo
Thak, 26th January 1990