The Palm Boys

Everything is relative. The meaning of youth or that of childhood. In the desert, age is just a number. One is born an adult, with responsibilities. One is soon a man or woman who actively contribute to the community or to the family. This doesn’t mean I haven’t seen children play in the desert, but it’s not normality. We were crossing the palm grove of Tichit on foot. It extends for about two kms towards the NW. I saw some kids between the palm trees playing and joking with each other. One of them was carrying a bundle of dry palm leaves over his head while the others laughed and chased each other. It was almost noon; the sun was high and beating down on our heads. The scene reminded me ...View all