Riders of Destiny

In the sun-drenched corner of Nusa Tenggara Barat, the end of the rice-harvesting season marks the start of a new season: horse-racing. The pacoa jara involves young children dangerously racing horses for gambling money and entertainment in the name of tradition. A tradition the local government maintains are an important part of island culture.Yet THE RIDERS OF DESTINY undeniably goes deeper than cultural exploration. At its heart, it presents the story of young jockeys who sacrifice their childhood and education in the name of tradition. Photographer Romi Perbawa masterfully presents photographs reflecting the turbulent lives of these children and their families. The children's joyful sneers in their full race gear, the excitement of starting a race, and accidents that follow on the track. A mother showing us a picture of her son amongst amongst his trophies; the fate that took her son away in a racetrack accident; and a single tomb standing quietly in the cemetery.A photo essay four years in the making, Romi essentially explores how a child's identity and personality are formed by childhood and education, and questions whether these are worth sacrificing for tradition. He does this with a series of beautifully moving photographs that "tries to uncover the fragility of the children's identity" lost in tradition. With a special foreword by prominent international photojournalist John Stanmeyer, 'The Riders of Destiny' is a touching and moving expose on the pacoa jara and the children who dedicate - and at times, sacrifice - their lives preserving it.