Soqotra – Land of the Dragon`s Blood Tree Exhibition on Display in Sana`a

"Soqotra Land of the Dragon’s Blood Tree" exhibition is on display in National Museum of Sana’a, Yemen running thru August 2008 and showing some of the island’s natural richness and unique lifestyles.

Organized by the British Council in Sana'a presents a vision of a sliver of land isolated for many years but now capturing the interest, a virtual living natural museum with all its unique plants and natural landscapes.

The exhibition was created by the Royal Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh and has been already staged successfully in Aden. Botanists from Edinburgh have been exploring and documenting the island of Soqotra since 1880, and are working with the Yemeni government on plans for the conservation of the unique biodiversity of this Yemeni island.

Isolated from the rest of the world until fairly recently, the Soqotra Archipelago is a remote, enigmatic group of islands in the Gulf of Aden, between the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, in the northern part of the Indian Ocean. Politically it is part of the Republic of Yemen, and consists of four islands, Soqotra, Abd Al Kuri, Samha and Darsa, together with a number of small sea stacks.

The unusual wealth of its plant and animal diversity has earned the Soqotra Archipelago a reputation as the "Galapagos of the Indian Ocean" Many of its plants and animal species are endemic, that is to say they are found nowhere else of earth.

What makes the Soqotra Archipelago even more fascinating and unique is the traditionally harmonious relationship between its inhabitants and their environment. Land use customs and sustainable harvesting of natural resources have helped to shape the eco-system and conserve the island`s endemic plants and animals.

The exhibition offers a glimpse into Soqotra`s timeless relationship between man and nature. The most spectacular feature of the archipelago is the Haggeher mountain range that dominates the eastern and central parts of the main island of Soqotra and forms its backbone. There are several peaks higher than 1.300 m. Lush woodland cover the slopes of the Haggeher and there are several permanent streams.

The climate of the archipelago is shaped by the southwest monsoon and the northeast monsoon.

The Soqotra Archipelago was first settled some 3.000 years ago by tribes from Southern Arabia. In classical times, seafarers and merchants of the great trading empires have called at Soqotra because of its location on the ancient trade route between Sinai and India. The island was famed as the source of some highly prized commodities, Soqotran aloe, cinnabar or dragon`s blood resin and frankincense. Legend has it that around 330BC Alexander the Great settled a colony on Soqotra Island, which the Greek named Dioscorida, to manage the trade in Soqotran aloe.

Dragon`s blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari), a striking, umbrella – shaped tree is scattered over the Soqotri landscape. Almost every part of this "tree of life’’ is used for some purpose, leaves and fruit can be used to feed livestock, bees gather nectar for honey, resin is used for medicinal purposes to treat spots and sores, fractures, burns and to stop bleeding. The red color from the resin is used to decorate pottery and it is used by children to paint their hands, nails and lips. Bark from the thick roots is burnt to scent the air, chewed to sweeten the breath and to make lips and gums redder.

The exhibition displays pictures with information both Arabic and English. There are life-like models, such as a cave, where the sound of water can be heard. Also a typical Soqotri house, clothes and objects and tools.

Botanically, the Soqotra Archipelago is now recognized as one of the world`s most important island groups. The figures reveal a similar floristic richness and level of endemism to that of more famous island groups such as Mauritius, the Galapagos and the Canary islands.

Until very recently most islanders lived simply and self-sufficiently, relaying on livestock, fishing and date farming. However, the islands are now entering a period of rapid development, and the traditional pastoralist way of life, like the island`s biodiversity, faces a precarious future.

As communication between the archipelago and the mainland improve, rapid changes in land use and lifestyle inevitably result. These conservation plants are therefore more crucial than ever in ensuring that survival of the plants and habitats upon which the islanders rely. .

The exhibition highlights the manner in which this fragile balance is now under threat as development and tourism begin to change the island forever. The next few years will determine whether this is to the benefit or detriment of both their nature and people.

ABOUT SOQOTRA
The Soqotra archipelago, part of the Republic of Yemen, is about 400 km from the Arabian mainland in the Indian Ocean. Geological, climatic and biological factors have interacted to create unique habitats and species that make this archipelago of exceptional importance for biodiversity.

The island of Soqotra, the largest in the group (3,500 sq km), is home to a unique assemblage of plants and animals.

Visiting Soqotra can easily be the highlight of your life. The island leaves a wonderful impression on all who visit it, whether interested primarily in botany, scenery or culture.

In 2003, the Soqotra archipelago was declared the first UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve in Yemen.

PICTURING SOQOTRA