Olympus OM-2N | Fuji Neopan 1600@3200 | Ilford MGIV RC
Universal Peace Buddha Temple, Brooklyn

Sesame, peanuts, coconut, oil. Tearing apart coconuts was extremely time-consuming last year, so this year chopped coconut was purchased from an Indian market.

Htamane is a glutinuous rice dish mixed with ginger, coconut, sesame, peanuts, and copious amounts of oil. The Htamane feast marks the first harvest of the year, in which the best crops are set aside to offer to the monks. It's believed that these particular ingredients combine to create a healthy warmth in the body during the chilly season. Preparing htamane takes several hours and the hands of many temple members.

More Htamane photos here.