Jessica Hromas, Sumba man and Sandalwood ponies. (DOCUMENTARY & STREET 2024)

I was already in the water with an underwater housing on my camera at a remote beach on the Indonesian Island of Sumba when this man lead his ponies into the water to cool off. In the Eastern Indonesian island of Sumba, the Sumba pony reigns supreme—a cherished emblem of both status and cultural heritage. On the sun-kissed beaches of Sumba, the bond between the people and their ponies becomes vividly apparent. Here, as the tropical sun beats down mercilessly, locals lead their beloved ponies to cool off, embodying a relationship steeped in care, affection, and cultural pride. This connection reaffirms that though the island may grapple with economic hardships, its spirit remains unbroken and its traditions thrive. Indeed, Bali may be just a short distance away, but Sumba is a world apart, untouched by the traffic and pollution that characterize its neighbor.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.