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Posts Tagged ‘Trade’
Stilt Fishermen – Tsunami Survivors
Situated 144km from Colombo, Weligama is famed for its stilt fishermen and the islet of Taprobane which houses the dream house of the Frencg Count de Mauny. A poverty stricken belt of the Southern coastal line of Sri Lanka, 15% of Weligama was destroyed during the December 2004 Tsunami. Jaya and his father are the only survival of their family continues with life and tradition as a fisherman and coconut plantation owner in this idyllic town.
Oranges – from the Haouz Plains to Marrakech
Being a major orange producing region, the Haouz Plains that surrounds Marrakech provides the city with abundance oranges that are characteristics of orange juice carts in Djamaa el Fna. Being a predominantly Muslim nation, the Moroccans have created a variety of some of the freshest natural fruit juices and shakes that are nutritious, refreshing and affordable.
Djamaa el Fna and Kautoubia Mosque
Famed for the Djamaa el Fna with its vibrant souk that displays a labyrinths of Moroccan craft and wares by day and a mesmerizing scene of life drama that unfolds by night, Marrakesh is a place that drives one’s senses into overdrive mode with its heady mix of sound and colours, pungent smells of goats and camels, lingering sensuous scents of jasmine and orange blossoms, and tantalizing tastes.
Ramadhan Djamma el Fna
Although the focus of Ramadhan – the Islamic month of fasting that involves abstaining from food, drink, sexual relations, smoking and other vices between sunrise and sunset – is spiritual, many cultures place a surprising emphasis on food during this holy month. Likewise, with improved economic standings, throes of tourist and an unsatisfiable appetite, food stalls selling the traditional Harira – a cheap and hearty lentil and tomato soup – in Morocco’s famed souk is thining.
A Sustainable Future for Argan Oil and Widows
Known for their medicinal, nutritional and cosmetic properties, argan pits have been processed long before the Phoenicians arrived and continues to be in demand today. Processed by widows, divorcees and unmarried single mothers in the Little Atlas Region of Morocco the formation of women cooperatives that works within a biosphere protected in UNESCO, has given a renewed lease of life for both the women and Argan trees.
The Snake Charmer and Flute Seller
Regardless of melody produced by the snake charmer’s pungi or the flute seller’s flute, the serpent that emerges from the dark creaves if its basket is not able to hear. Hence, snake charming is a practice of pretending to hypnotise a snake by playing an instrument and an art handed down by lineage of understanding the snakes natural attributes to create a performance.
Domesticated Dromedary
The one hump camel – dromedary – have been domesticated from as far back as 4000 BC for its versatile usage that range from transportation, milk, dung, hair, skin and even meat by conquerors and nomadic pastroralists. Today, they are widely used in the tourism industry despite its ill-tempered temperament.
Great One Horned Rhinoceros
At a rate where more than 90 percent of the world’s rhinoceros have decimated over the past 40 years due to illegal rhino horn trade, and the stakes stacked up against them, will the Great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros be a unicorn for future generations?
Dar Debbagh – Tannery Gate
The primitive tanning processes applied by the tanneries in Dar Debbagh uses a lot of water and generates large quantity of effluent that is detrimental to the waterways. However, steeped with legend, century old customs and a flourishing flow of tourism dollars, the practice that dates back to antiquity is unlikely to stop.
Miracle Healer or Merciless Killer
Endangered species from Africa’s forests are laid out for local buyers seeking sex boosters, spiritual and physical cures and exotic food while skins of jungle cats and reptiles are to Western buyers in UNESCO enlisted Djemaa el Fna. Can a membership with CITES curb illegal wildlife trade in Morocco? Or will culture, spiritual practices of the medicine man prevail?
Strokes of Hope
Be it traditional tantric influenced, middle-of-the-road, or avant garde art, Tibetan artist are fiercely express their identities breaking away from ‘mystics’ and ‘ethnic’ works. External influences – social, pyschological and economic changes in the world – seems to be the driving force for most, but in some cases its purely individual expression.
Sculptured Dough
Dough sculpturing dates back to the Han Dynasty as sacrifices for the dead. A dying folk art and tradition, little of it is known outside China and its importance as a study in history and folk lore has eroded. Struggling to remain relevant, dough scultures now takes form of popular pop culture genre and modern fictional characters.
Jama Masjid + Feathered Friends
Whilst the pigeons in Jama Masjid are free, a stark reality occurs just hundreds of meters away at the Jama Masjid bird market and across the road behind the Red Fort at INA Market; feathered species of all kinds are cooped up waiting for an exchange of swabs of rupees for their lives and freedom. Although the Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972 exist, enforcement is lacking.
Tibetan Refugees: Tibetan Rug Revival
Traditional Tibetan rug weaving industry dates back thousands of years to satisfy monastic institutions and the aristocrats’ need for khaden, but today Nepal and India are the largest producers and exporters of both Tibetan rugs and Tibetan-styled rugs. Traditional methods have given way for more cost effective and time efficient ways. Styles have evolved to suit the Western-styled homes.
Mojari Jootis Kolhapuris
These flats – Mojaris, Jootis and Kolhapuris – ‘floods’ Rajasthan, Delhi and Punjab with production dating back to the period of Kings and Queens. Unlike those produced in the heydays with real gold and silver threads and gems, these cow hide shoes are now embellished with artificial materials to suit everyone’s budget.
Stitches of Tibet
In Tibet, tailoring is a fine art made proud by the fine pieces of silk thangkas ranging from the standard two feet to the 16-storeys kyigus, hand sewn laboriously by appliqué artists for months end. However at the TRSHC, the stitches of Tibet are applied to daily practical consumption items like clothing and shoes, with some toys for sale.
Women Weavers: Kully Valley
20,000 people are engaged in weaving in the Kullu Valley, majority being women affliated with cooperative society operated by women for women. With these cooperatives, women benefit not only from economies of scale but general management knowledge that cuts across the entire value-chain of the weaving industry.
The Halal Meat Butcher
The term halal (حلال ḥalāl) and haraam are applied to many facets of life but the most common uses of these terms is in reference to meat products, in particular the slaughtering method used. Whilst the prescribed method of Ḏabīḥah (ذَبِيْحَة) has been applied for centuries, debate on if its inhumane continues despite scientific evidences suggesting otherwise.
Chandi Chowk: Chaos . Cargo . Coolies
Chandi Chowk’s chocked up narrow lanes never ceases to fascinate: sea of people, knots of dangerously low cables dangling across buildings and streets, seething mass ‘traffic’, and countless of specialised bazaars that will match your imagination. Coolies who snakes their way through chaos with their laden cargo tells their story.