The Marsh Arabs of Iraq

In this vast fertile region, civilization was born some 5,000 years ago.

The first literate societies emerged, cities developed and trade and complex state bureaucracies evolved.

After the Sumerians and Akkadians withered away, some of its descendants took to living in the marshlands.

They are called Marsh Arabs or the Madan.

Over the centuries these people developed a unique culture centered on the marshes' natural resources.

A traditional reed hut called mudhif in a Marsh Arab village in Iraq.

They make elaborate reed houses calledmudhifconstructed from reeds harvested from the marshes where they live.

A typical reed dwelling is usually a little more than two meters wide, and about six meters long.

They are constructed either at the waterside or on floating artificial island of reeds called akibasha.

A more permanent island of layered reeds and mud is called adibin.

They also cultivate crops such as rice, barley, wheat and pearl millet.

Some Madans lead a nomadic life erecting temporary dwellings and moving buffalo around the marshes according to the season.

The provisional government along with the United Nations and US agencies also began restoring the marshes.

This series of images satellite images from 2000 through 2010 shows how the marshlands have dried up.

This will (has) undoubtedly affect their future aspirations in terms of place of residence.

The Iraqi marshlands in 1967.

Photo credit: Tor Eigeland