Delightful dates

Published July 26, 2011
It can be the donkey or the tractor, any means of transport is used to carry the dates from the orchards to the place where it is processed.
It can be the donkey or the tractor, any means of transport is used to carry the dates from the orchards to the place where it is processed.
The khajji is boiled in water mixed with yellow colour for about 20 minutes before being taken out to dry.
The khajji is boiled in water mixed with yellow colour for about 20 minutes before being taken out to dry.
Khajji is spread out in the sun for a week to dry and become chuhara (dry date).
Khajji is spread out in the sun for a week to dry and become chuhara (dry date).
Khajji is spread out in the sun for a week to dry and become chuhara.
Khajji is spread out in the sun for a week to dry and become chuhara.
Chai (tea) time and sharing a few laughs before getting back to the toil.
Chai (tea) time and sharing a few laughs before getting back to the toil.
It can be the tractor or the donkey, any means of transport is used to carry the dates from the orchards to the place where it is processed.
It can be the tractor or the donkey, any means of transport is used to carry the dates from the orchards to the place where it is processed.
Women like Jannat, Anwari and Zainab are going home after a day’s work. They get a basket full of dates to take home in return.
Women like Jannat, Anwari and Zainab are going home after a day’s work. They get a basket full of dates to take home in return.
The bunches of khajji are thrashed onto a mammoth comb-like contraption that takes out the fruit from the stem.
The bunches of khajji are thrashed onto a mammoth comb-like contraption that takes out the fruit from the stem.
The khajji is boiled in water mixed with yellow colour for about 20 minutes before being taken out to dry.
The khajji is boiled in water mixed with yellow colour for about 20 minutes before being taken out to dry.
A thick rug on one shoulder to keep the water dripping from the basket and scalding their skin, they carry two or three baskets filled with these boiling dates straight from the cauldron to spread them out on the mats. The labourers earn Rs 250 a day for such hard labour. Doctors at the basic health unit say the cases of sun strokes increases every year during these months.
A thick rug on one shoulder to keep the water dripping from the basket and scalding their skin, they carry two or three baskets filled with these boiling dates straight from the cauldron to spread them out on the mats. The labourers earn Rs 250 a day for such hard labour. Doctors at the basic health unit say the cases of sun strokes increases every year during these months.
Soft, juicy and succulent, these young dates will, in no time shrivel, crease and become hard under the scorching sun.
Soft, juicy and succulent, these young dates will, in no time shrivel, crease and become hard under the scorching sun.
Rs 80 is the price of each basket. Between the husband and wife, a couple can easily weave a dozen.
Rs 80 is the price of each basket. Between the husband and wife, a couple can easily weave a dozen.
Rs 80 is the price of each basket. Between the husband and wife, a couple can easily weave a dozen.
Rs 80 is the price of each basket. Between the husband and wife, a couple can easily weave a dozen.
Date Palm Research Institute in Khairpur growing the date palm in labs through tissue culture.
Date Palm Research Institute in Khairpur growing the date palm in labs through tissue culture.
Date Palm Research Institute in Khairpur growing the date palm in labs through tissue culture.
Date Palm Research Institute in Khairpur growing the date palm in labs through tissue culture.

Tall and majestic, the date palms bear the weight of its golden fruit with dignity and patience before these are plucked are all around you if you happen to be in Khairpur this time of the year.

Noted for the bountiful crop of dates, the splash of yellow abounds. The budding cotton crop is vying for attention elbowing out the wheat crop, but none can surpass the glory of the palm trees, some as high as 80 feet and as old as 80 years, who have silently witnessed how the princely state, ruled by the Talpur Mirs annexed to Pakistan.

From June to August, Khairpur transforms from a sleepy little city to one that suddenly comes alive. The reason – the dates are ready to be plucked from the tree, dried and turned into chuhara (dried date).

The nomads have entered knowing they will find work, as have the basket weavers. The straw mats are ready and the clamour of the cauldrons tells you it’s time to get into serious business and there is no time to waste… – Text and photos by Zofeen Ebrahim

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