Flowered Men and Green Slopes of Arabia

Flowered Men and Green Slopes of Arabia

التصنيف : History

دار النشر : publishing house

Thierry Mauger

The term "Flowered Men and Green Slopes of Arabia" most likely refers to the book of the same title by photographer and author Thierry Mauger, published in 1988. The book documents the unique culture of the "Flower Men" who live in the mountainous Asir and Jizan provinces of southern Saudi Arabia, near the border with Yemen. 

• Summary: Mauger's photographs and text provide a rare glimpse into the traditions of these tribesmen, many of whom lived in relative isolation until the late 20th century. It describes their mountainous way of life, traditional architecture, and the distinctive practice of wearing floral headdresses. 

The "Flower Men" culture

The title's reference to "Flowered Men" and "Green Slopes" describes the unique tribal traditions and geography of the region. 

The floral crowns

• Custom: Qahtani men traditionally wear elaborate floral headdresses made of fresh herbs, flowers, and grasses.
• Significance: The wreaths serve both aesthetic and medicinal purposes, as certain herbs are believed to help with ailments like headaches.
• Variation: The style and complexity of the crowns can vary with age and occasion. Younger men wear more colorful arrangements, while older men favor simpler, green-based wreaths. 

The "Green Slopes" of Asir and Jizan

• Geography: Contrary to the common image of a desert landscape, the provinces of Asir and Jizan receive more rainfall than any other area in Saudi Arabia.
• Climate: The climate is cooler and wetter than the rest of the country, with terraced mountain slopes cultivated for crops like coffee and wheat.
• Architecture: The tribes historically lived in multi-story mud and stone houses, with watchtowers rising above their residential quarters.
• Interior Art: Local women practice an art form called Al-Qatt Al-Asiri, decorating the interior walls of homes with bright, geometric patterns. This traditional art has been recognized by UNESCO.