Matrix of Flood

The Nile Inundation

The Egyptians were only able to make permanent settlements due to the Nile River. The Nile river flows from south to north. The Nile would flood each year, bringing in silt-laden waters. When the waters receded the silt would stay behind, fertilizing the land. If a flood were too large it would wash over mud dikes protecting a village. If there were a small flood or no flood at all it would mean famine. A flood needs to be just right for it to be a good season.

The three stages of the Egyptian flood cycle were Akhet, the time of the Nile flood, Peret, the sowing time, and Shemu, the time of harvest. The flood cycle was so predictable that the Egyptians even based their ancient calendar on it.

End of the flooding

In 1970, with the completion of the High Dam at Aswan, the annual flooding cycle in Egypt came to an end. Today, farmers must use fertilizers to keep their land productive, as the deposits of silt no longer occur each year.

Amazingly also similar reasoning came from this farmer of Shariakandi, Bogra of Bangladesh. Also a few farmers of Matidali, Bogra beside which the Bangali river flows, also voice their annoyance reasoning that with dam & dykes (which we build) the water sometimes reach the halfway level of the flooding, resulting in parts of our land being scraped by the lapping waters.

Now first of all we photographers do not build dams obviously but I decided not to correct them. But as a diploma student studying Journalism I was definitely on a mission when I decided to visit Shariakandi, Bogra one of the places affected in 2007 and flood seems to be the enemy number one enemy of our country regardless what history teaches us.

On my way to Shariakandi I got my glimpses of the flood. And as I sat pondering in a Highway motel during our break of the journey about the image construction of my flood story I noticed the two dynamic views I have of flood from the half open window of tinted glass. While I got the conventional color from the opening, the tinted view seems reminiscent of our views as we see relevant. I decided immediately to capture the confusion of life as it is during these tough period of flood.

Back to my transport I gaze from my window seat around the flooded horizon. What I had expected to find ? Maybe people sitting on high land with their hands on their head? Well a pleasant surprise. Of course the obvious, Fishing - the opportunities of flood.

Yes - another method of fishing. Oh how I envy the childhood of these two children.

Then of course I observe the devastating floods in the middle of the Jammuna River.

A closer look.

A wider perspective.

Suffering yes, but she is not exactly begging for help. This 50 plus years woman annoyance of being photograph actually helped me juxtapose the character  of the so call poor victim as an individual of my observations.

May seem like another close view of a submerged hut. It is but the roof has more slope then conventional design. The science is more complex but for the general population it works as a wind resistant from the numerous cyclones affecting the Char (river Island) inhabitants of the Jamunna. And cyclone is the one reason most of them declined to elevate their dwellings over flood level. 

I listened in amazement how this man happy in waist deep water explained to me that flood is something they can tackle. But as they have no protection against cyclone, he declined to have his dwelling elevated. He whispered to me conscious of not so well off neighbors whether I would like to see how he stores his valuables.

While photographing I was thinking about the science of the low lying thatched roofs and deliberating that if they elevate their dwellings but decrease the height of their huts will it serve all propose? Surely this is not a job of a photographer? Maybe – but as a concern citizen I can also come up with ideas. So I decided to do the comparison.

Reaching a char where the community has taken the initiative to elevate their dwellings I admit I was taken by surprise by the sheer joy of their living during the flood of 2007. I may have missed a composition but an important aspect of living on elevated char has been duly documented.

Please - will you video (photograph) us.

Definitely.

Who is he?

She (oops) is my granddaughter Sabina. (I am not sure I recall the name correctly)

She will take every opportunity to look at herself in the mirror - the grandmother proudly informs me.

No harm done. That is living. Before leaving for the char I did took a few images on highland where many has taken shelter driven away from their dwellings by the flood. The teasing attitude of these two had taken me by surprise. I had mused then that I will find the real sufferings in the middle of Jammuna. 

And then these children had amazed me with their zest for life. What have we really done for them? Yes they were given aids to sustain the ordeal and will be given aids for subsequent flood. So what about flood management and how do we fight the floods? I would rather we learn to live with it and reap the benefits the nature offer us.

I always take a long time when I look at this image. Were they so happy because they were being photograph? Or did I look funny to them? Whatever but one thing for sure despite their hardship they have to strength to override it. And probably that came from the knowledge of being cocoon by the love of their parents. 

And what this country actually needs is our love. Patriotism is too deliberate a term.