Public domain photo #2

Here's another photo I got from the Library of Congress public domain collection. I have pretty detailed information about the people in the photograph, thanks to the LOC files. Here's a few questions - I know it might be difficult to answer them, but take a crack at it, anyway:
1. When and where do you think the picture was taken?
2. What sort of life do you think the people in the picture lead? What sort of challenges do they face?
3. What can we deduce about their religious convictions? What evidence do you have? Give as much detail as possible.
(Answer questions in your notepads, but do feel free to post a comment sharing your impressions of the photo).