Ida'an people collecting edible bird's nests in the Madai Cave (Borneo).

They have several cabins or huts built in the case, that they use for resting and storing equipment. Bird nest harvesting takes place day and night and involves large teams of people manning the cords that are attached to the bamboo ladders and the people that they hoist very high in the cave.

Swiftlet's nests are praised by Chinese people who use them to prepare bird's nest soup. The sale of those nests is the main source of revenue for the nearby village of Madai.

The bird's nests are harvested from the highest part of the cave (up to 50m high), using bamboo and rattan ladders and ropes. The bird's nest collectors use no harness and no safety equipment.

View my other photos of the Madai Cave.