Along the Opak River in Pundong, near Bantul, Yogyakarta, locals trade their sweat for a pile of sand.

The dry season arrives. The water is reluctant to soak the dry earth, but Nature forces it deep down into the grainy soil at the river’s edge. The locals watch this every year; they know what the season brings.

As the spring dries up, the estuary narrows. Sand coats the riverbank and is clearly visible all along its bed. In the time of drought sand replaces rice.

After wading in the river all day, the worker’s clothes are hung out to dry.

The workers usually take a break at around 10.30am. This warung was established by one of their neighbours from the village of Pundong.