Somaliland Frankincense Industry = The sap of the frankincense tree has been a valued commodity for millennia.
Egyptian pharaohs traded for the gum, and Christians know frankincense as one of the gifts the three wise men brought to the baby Jesus, according to the New Testament.
But increased demand has threatened the ancient trade as men in Somaliland risk their lives to harvest the resin in ever greater quantities.
12. Pictures – Somaliland Frankincense Industry
A man holds a chunk of prized maydi, the most expensive frankincense resin, in Mader Moge, Somaliland, Aug. 4, 2016. (J.Patinkin/VOA)
11. Pictures – Somaliland Frankincense Industry
The Daalo escarpment of the Cal Madow Mountains rises 8,000 feet above the Gulf of Aden, and in its canyons grow the frankincense forests, Aug. 4, 2016. (J.Patinkin/VOA)
10. Pictures – Somaliland Frankincense Industry
A frankincense harvester balances in a tree perched on a canyon wall near the village of Gudmo, Somaliland, Aug. 3, 2016. (J.Patinkin/VOA)
9. Pictures – Somaliland Frankincense Industry
A frankincense harvester balances in a tree perched on a canyon wall near the village of Gudmo, Somaliland, Aug. 3, 2016. (J.Patinkin/VOA)
8. Pictures – Somaliland Frankincense tree
Mohamed Ahmed Ali wounds a frankincense tree near Mader Moge, Somaliland, Aug. 4, 2016. He says his family has been harvesting frankincense for more than 100 years. (J.Patinkin/VOA)
7. Pictures – Somaliland Frankincense tree
Frankincense resin seeps out of a frankincense tree near the village of Mader Moge, Aug. 4, 2016. (J.Patinkin/VOA)
6. Pictures – Somaliland Frankincense Industry
A basket of dried frankincense resin is ready for sorting in Erigavo, Somaliland, Aug. 3, 2016. (J.Patinkin/VOA)
5. Pictures – Somaliland Frankincense Industry
Women sort raw frankincense gum in Burao, Somaliland, Aug. 6, 2016. The men harvest the sap, a dangerous job, and the women prepare the gum for export. (J.Patinkin/VOA)
4. Pictures – Somaliland Frankincense Industry
Luul Sait Chama sorts different types of frankincense gum in Erigavo, Somaliland, Aug. 3, 2016. (J.Patinkin/VOA)
3. Pictures – Somaliland Frankincense
A woman sorts pieces of dried frankincense gum in Erigavo, Somaliland, Aug. 3, 2016. (J.Patinkin/VOA)
2. Pictures – Somaliland Frankincense
A frankincense trader holds up a tear of prized maydi, the most expensive frankincense resin, near the village of Gudmo, Somaliland, Aug. 2, 2016. (J.Patinkin/VOA)
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