Dominated by active volcanoes and hilly rainforests in Indonesia, West Sumatra is a beautiful providence of Sumatra. Padang is the capital and gateway to the Minang Highlands where the Minangkabau people are a matriarchal society, women control the land inheritance, field management, harvest earnings trading, and men control the government. Rantau frontier regions stretches down to the coasts of east and west Sumatra which includes Bukittinggi in the Minangkabau Highlands. My experience traveling throughout West Sumatra was an interesting, educational experience and most of the population was absorbed in the agriculture sector, notably rice. The people were kind, friendly and welcoming to a curious photojournalist.

Documentary Travel Photography: Gail Fisher