Page 8 - Date Palm_EA Book_English

Social and cultural values related to the date palm
I wish I had palm trees,
To be watered aplenty, When the summer heat peaks
The dates will be ready And we eat the finest dates,
At the optimum quality.
Culturally, the palm tree is a symbol of dignity. It has been the subject of countless proverbs and parables that speak of generosity, gallantry, be- nevolence and distinction. It is an inspiration for poets, who have written tributes to its blessings.
The palm tree has also featured in many traditional sayings, such as the one inviting the youth to invest in fruitful work for the present and the future. It encourages more cultivation of palm trees, or ‘breeding’ of the date palm:
“Alfard eamud alarda... iina kilatah hanak waiin bietah ghinak”
Fardh [a variety] is the pillar of earth, eat it and it pleases you; sell it and it enriches you.
“Alseba afsal bihi aw ansal bihi”
When Al Seba wind blows, it is a good time to plant the young palm and also to conceive new life.
The love, gratitude and admiration that people have had for this tree led to them likening it to a human form, particularly because of its straight trunk, longevity, the existence of a male and a female, and how a cut can kill it. Appreciation for the date palm and the esteem in which it is held has made it a source of pride and an emblem of protection. As the source of many cultural, social and leisure activities, it inspires cooper- ation, solidarity, generosity and the exchange of knowledge, experience and joy.
People have a year-round affinity with the date palm. Summer is the planting season and is a time of cooperation, communication and so- cial unity among families, neighbours and communities. People come together to prepare the land for cultivation, choosing the types of seed- lings (sires) and pollination sticks (sprouts), exchanging the best variet- ies and then ploughing and irrigating the land. The preservation of these