A Marsh Arab village in Southern Iraq, c. 1974 #NativeThreads // www.nativethreads.co ⠀
// ⠀
The picture shows the Iraqi wetlands with traditional mudhif reed houses made by the Marsh Arabs, also know as the Madan people.⠀ ⠀
// ⠀
The Iraqi Marshes are unique in the Arab world, with a lifestyle similar to South Asia that involves the use of water buffalo. The marshes have also served as a haven for escaped slaves and refugees, such as during the Zanj Rebellion and the Saddam era. It’s estimated that over 90% of the marshlands have disappeared due to environmental issues and draining efforts by the British Colonial government and the Saddam regime.