"The Stone Age Whale Hunters" (by Ardiles Rante) http://www.lightstalkers.org/galleries/contact_sheet/10285 Their way of life hasn't changed for hundreds of years - a group of skilled fishermen using only their bodies and extraordinary bravery to catch 75ft-long sperm whales to provide enough food and materials for their whole village. It is like a scene from Moby Dick, except the odds are stacked even higher against the captains of each tiny wooden boat. These amazing images were taken during a whale hunt in one of the last places on Earth where people still use traditional methods to fish for one of the largest creatures in the seas. They battle for more than six hours, their hands gripping traditional duri flensing knives, to subdue the whale - which they call Koteklema. Finally, the fishermen of Lamalera (a village perched on the southern part of Lembata island, Indonesia) kill their prey with their bare hands. It is all a far cry from the whaling fleets of Japan, whose factory boats and grenade harpoons wreak slaughter on an industrial scale. The sails of the Lamalera boats are woven from gebang leaves and each vessel is hand-made, with no nails or metal parts. Ropes are made from palm leaves and waru wood fibres, coiled together. They battle for more than six hours, their hands gripping traditional duri flensing knives, to subdue the whale - which they call Koteklema. Finally, the fishermen of Lamalera (a village perched on the southern part of Lembata island, Indonesia) kill their prey with their bare hands. It is all a far cry from the whaling fleets of Japan, whose factory boats and grenade harpoons wreak slaughter on an industrial scale. The sails of the Lamalera boats are woven from gebang leaves and each vessel is hand-made, with no nails or metal parts. Ropes are made from palm leaves and waru wood fibres, coiled together. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-465987/The-stone-age-whale-hunters-kill-bare-hands.html#ixzz0ct9QXcnG http://www.lightstalkers.org en-us http://images.lightstalkers.org/avatars/37132/_MG_0285_small.jpg The Stone Age Whale Hunters | Ardiles Rante http://www.lightstalkers.org/Ardiles Rante Markus Sari (L) and Gregorius Tapoona (R) are left hanging in mid air as they spear a whale, off the coast of Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village. <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/451549/stone_age-whale_hunter02_small.jpg' /><br />Markus Sari (L) and Gregorius Tapoona (R) are left hanging in mid air as they spear a whale, off the coast of Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451549'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451549 Mon, 31 Dec 2012 14:03:19 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451549 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/451549/stone_age-whale_hunter02_small.jpg' /><br />Markus Sari (L) and Gregorius Tapoona (R) are left hanging in mid air as they spear a whale, off the coast of Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451549'>view full-size image</a> Ardiles Rante The hunters stab the whale as comes close to their boat, off the coast of Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village. <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/451558/stone_age-whale_hunter05_small.jpg' /><br />The hunters stab the whale as comes close to their boat, off the coast of Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451558'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451558 Mon, 31 Dec 2012 14:03:19 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451558 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/451558/stone_age-whale_hunter05_small.jpg' /><br />The hunters stab the whale as comes close to their boat, off the coast of Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451558'>view full-size image</a> Ardiles Rante Hunters attempt to spear the whale from their's Demo Sapang boat, off the coast of Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village. *** Local Caption *** <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/451555/stone_age-whale_hunter04_small.jpg' /><br /> Hunters attempt to spear the whale from their's Demo Sapang boat, off the coast of Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village. *** Local Caption *** <br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451555'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451555 Mon, 31 Dec 2012 14:03:19 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451555 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/451555/stone_age-whale_hunter04_small.jpg' /><br /> Hunters attempt to spear the whale from their's Demo Sapang boat, off the coast of Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village. *** Local Caption *** <br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451555'>view full-size image</a> Ardiles Rante A woman carries her cut of the meat back to her home in Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village. <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/451579/stone_age-whale_hunter011_small.jpg' /><br />A woman carries her cut of the meat back to her home in Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451579'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451579 Mon, 31 Dec 2012 14:03:19 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451579 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/451579/stone_age-whale_hunter011_small.jpg' /><br />A woman carries her cut of the meat back to her home in Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451579'>view full-size image</a> Ardiles Rante Fishermen cut and clean the meat and skin to distribute it to the villagers, a job that will take 5 days in all, in Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village. <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/451573/stone_age-whale_hunter09_small.jpg' /><br /> Fishermen cut and clean the meat and skin to distribute it to the villagers, a job that will take 5 days in all, in Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451573'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451573 Mon, 31 Dec 2012 14:03:19 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451573 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/451573/stone_age-whale_hunter09_small.jpg' /><br /> Fishermen cut and clean the meat and skin to distribute it to the villagers, a job that will take 5 days in all, in Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451573'>view full-size image</a> Ardiles Rante Karolus jump from one boat to another to find more ropes as he attempts to spear a huge whale, off the coast of Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village. *** Local Caption *** <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/451564/stone_age-whale_hunter07_small.jpg' /><br />Karolus jump from one boat to another to find more ropes as he attempts to spear a huge whale, off the coast of Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village. *** Local Caption *** <br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451564'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451564 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:39:11 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451564 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/451564/stone_age-whale_hunter07_small.jpg' /><br />Karolus jump from one boat to another to find more ropes as he attempts to spear a huge whale, off the coast of Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village. *** Local Caption *** <br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451564'>view full-size image</a> Ardiles Rante Gregorius Kia is left hanging in mid air as he spears a whale from his Demo Sapang boat, off the coast of Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village. <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/451552/stone_age-whale_hunter03_small.jpg' /><br /> Gregorius Kia is left hanging in mid air as he spears a whale from his Demo Sapang boat, off the coast of Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451552'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451552 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:39:08 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451552 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/451552/stone_age-whale_hunter03_small.jpg' /><br /> Gregorius Kia is left hanging in mid air as he spears a whale from his Demo Sapang boat, off the coast of Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451552'>view full-size image</a> Ardiles Rante Rofinus Sanga (C) jumps on to whale and stabs it repeatedly, off the coast of Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village. *** Local Caption *** <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/451561/stone_age-whale_hunter06_small.jpg' /><br />Rofinus Sanga (C) jumps on to whale and stabs it repeatedly, off the coast of Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village. *** Local Caption *** <br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451561'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451561 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:39:08 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451561 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/451561/stone_age-whale_hunter06_small.jpg' /><br />Rofinus Sanga (C) jumps on to whale and stabs it repeatedly, off the coast of Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village. *** Local Caption *** <br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451561'>view full-size image</a> Ardiles Rante The wlower hale rolled over its body, here is the mouth and lower jaw; each tooth is about 20 cms long. <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/451543/stone_age-whale_hunter01_small.jpg' /><br />The wlower hale rolled over its body, here is the mouth and lower jaw; each tooth is about 20 cms long.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451543'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451543 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:39:08 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451543 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/451543/stone_age-whale_hunter01_small.jpg' /><br />The wlower hale rolled over its body, here is the mouth and lower jaw; each tooth is about 20 cms long.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451543'>view full-size image</a> Ardiles Rante Fishermen ready to cut and clean the meat and skin to distribute it to the villagers, a job that will take 5 days in all, in Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village. <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/451567/stone_age-whale_hunter08_small.jpg' /><br /> Fishermen ready to cut and clean the meat and skin to distribute it to the villagers, a job that will take 5 days in all, in Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451567'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451567 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:39:08 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451567 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/451567/stone_age-whale_hunter08_small.jpg' /><br /> Fishermen ready to cut and clean the meat and skin to distribute it to the villagers, a job that will take 5 days in all, in Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451567'>view full-size image</a> Ardiles Rante A fishermen ready to cut and clean the meat and skin to distribute it to the villagers, a job that will take 5 days in all, in Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village. <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/451576/stone_age-whale_hunter010_small.jpg' /><br />A fishermen ready to cut and clean the meat and skin to distribute it to the villagers, a job that will take 5 days in all, in Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451576'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451576 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:39:08 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451576 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/451576/stone_age-whale_hunter010_small.jpg' /><br />A fishermen ready to cut and clean the meat and skin to distribute it to the villagers, a job that will take 5 days in all, in Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451576'>view full-size image</a> Ardiles Rante A woman looks crazed with happiness after she takes her share of the oil from the head of the whale, in Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village. <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/451582/stone_age-whale_hunter012_small.jpg' /><br />A woman looks crazed with happiness after she takes her share of the oil from the head of the whale, in Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451582'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451582 Sun, 17 Jan 2010 08:21:05 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451582 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/451582/stone_age-whale_hunter012_small.jpg' /><br />A woman looks crazed with happiness after she takes her share of the oil from the head of the whale, in Lamalera, Indonesia. Inhabitants of the tiny village of Lamalera in Indonesia still hunt sperm whales using traditional methods. They have no motorboats, harpoons or ropes but still manage to bring home a 23m whale which provides food and materials for the whole village.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/451582'>view full-size image</a> Ardiles Rante