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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWorld's last wild frankincense forests are under threat
ERIGAVO, Somalia (AP) In a tradition dating to Biblical times, men rise at dawn in the rugged Cal Madow mountains of Somaliland in the Horn of Africa to scale rocky outcrops in search of the prized sap of wild frankincense trees.
Bracing against high winds, Musse Ismail Hassan climbs with his feet wrapped in cloth to protect against the sticky resin. With a metal scraper, he chips off bark and the tree's white sap bleeds into the salty air. "My father and grandfather were both doing this job," said Hassan, who like all around here is Muslim. "We heard that it was with Jesus."
When dried and burned, the sap produces a fragrant smoke which perfumes churches and mosques around the world. Frankincense, along with gold and myrrh, was brought by the Three Kings as gifts in the Gospel account of the birth of Jesus.
But now these last intact wild frankincense forests on Earth are under threat as prices have shot up in recent years with the global appetite for essential oils. Overharvesting has led to the trees dying off faster than they can replenish, putting the ancient resin trade at risk.
Read more: http://fremonttribune.com/news/world/world-s-last-wild-frankincense-forests-are-under-threat/article_a20a38ac-5a83-580c-9b35-7c7e7a3a032d.html
mountain grammy
(26,624 posts)Happy Holidays TT.
TexasTowelie
(112,252 posts)There isn't much happening here other than I am taking care of the cats.
McCamy Taylor
(19,240 posts)And stop by sometime if you are in the area. We are a Trump Free zone in north Texas.
TexasTowelie
(112,252 posts)Even though it is an AP story, I haven't seen any other coverage besides this one newspaper which I find odd.
I haven't been in your neck of the urban woods in quite awhile. I'm getting less mobile and for the last few days my right leg has been inflammed below the knee. I'm able to walk, but it bothered me when the mesh laundry carrier rubbed up against my leg and I'm having to keep it propped up while typing on the computer.