Item 4: Drying Hemp, Chief Export of the Philippines, at Cebu, Philippine Islands

Image of four male workers in Cebu, P.I., drying manila hemp in the open air. Many piles of hemp are seen drying on the ground in the foreground, with workers holding hemp in the background. Docks and several boats are visible in the background. Manila hemp is made from the fiber of a wild plantain that closely resembles the edible banana plant. After workers scrape pulp from the fiber, the fiber is wound around a stick. It is then dried in the sun for at least 5 hours, baled, and is ready for export. New York: Underwood & Underwood, ca. 1900-1920. 17.75 x 8.75 cm.

Format: Stereoptic print.