A carnival festival in Al-Nakhila, Ad-Duraihimi, to celebrate the date harvest season in Al-Hodeidah Governorate

 

The Al-Nakhila Stadium in Ad-Duraihimi District, Al-Hodeidah Governorate, hosted a popular carnival today to mark the “Munassif” date harvest season for the year 1447 AH.

The festival was met with widespread public interaction, reflecting the deep connection between the people of Tihama and their deeply rooted agriculture.

The festival, organized by the local authority in Ad-Duraihimi District and the General Mobilization Division, in cooperation with the Ad-Duraihimi Farmers Association and the Tihama Coast Farmers Association, aimed to highlight the agricultural heritage, celebrate the date harvest season, and encourage farmers to develop their production and market their dates, thus enhancing the role of palm trees in the local economy.
The festival included horse and camel races, folkloric dance and camel jumping performances, and popular poetry performances.

Marketing pavilions showcased the local date varieties for which Tihama is famous, in a festive scene that combined heritage and identity.

During the festival, Hodeidah Governor Abdullah Otaifi emphasized the importance of agricultural festivals in raising community awareness of the importance of agriculture and its role in achieving food security and self-sufficiency. He noted that Tihama represents Yemen’s breadbasket and a source of diverse agricultural wealth.

He noted that Al Hudaydah Governorate, with the support and guidance of the Leader of the Revolution, Sayyid Abdulmalik Badr al-Din al-Houthi, is proceeding with the implementation of the national vision for the agricultural sector by supporting productive activities, expanding agricultural land, and motivating farmers.

Atifi explained that holding such events in Al Durayhimi District, a field of steadfastness in the face of aggression and siege, reflects the ability of the people of Al Hudaydah to transform suffering into achievements and transform the land into a weapon against economic targeting.

He emphasized that Al Nakheel is not only a home for palm trees, but also a symbol of steadfastness, production, and pride. In this way, Tihama consistently proves that it holds the initiative and improves the way of life despite all the wounds.

He pointed out that these festivals restore balance to the relationship between the citizen and the land, open the way for farmers to market their products, and promote the value of Tihama’s crops both locally and internationally.

The Governor of Hodeidah emphasized the local authority’s keenness to support the holding of such events and festivals in the governorate’s various districts, given their impact on strengthening national and economic affiliation, connecting citizens to their land and livelihood, and promoting agricultural products.

He praised the level of organization and preparation for the festival, as well as the symbolic messages conveyed by the artistic and cultural segments, which reflected the depth of Tihama’s popular heritage and its long history of palm cultivation.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor for Services Affairs, Mohammed Halisi, explained that palm trees and their fruits have historically been associated with the people of Tihama and have been a pivotal element in their daily lives. They continue to occupy a central position in their agricultural culture.

He noted that date festivals are held annually in Al-Nakhila, Al-Suwaiq, and Al-Jah, and witness a large public and commercial turnout from various governorates, reflecting the importance of the agricultural sector as an economic driver for the local community.

The Deputy Governor emphasized that Hodeidah is one of the most prominent Yemeni governorates in producing the finest date varieties, opening the door to promising export opportunities and achieving an agricultural-based economic renaissance.

Speeches were delivered by the district’s local authority leadership and a number of specialists, emphasizing the festival’s importance in rehabilitating palm trees, encouraging the introduction of new varieties, and improving methods of date care, storage, and marketing.

The speeches indicated that coordination efforts are underway between local authorities and agricultural associations aimed at developing a comprehensive plan to advance the palm sector and transform the mid-season season into an annual platform for exchanging experiences and enhancing community awareness of the importance of this strategic crop.

The popular market accompanying the festival witnessed a remarkable turnout of visitors, where various varieties of Tihama dates were on display. The atmosphere was interspersed with artistic and poetic performances that expressed the harvest season and the deep connection to palm trees, presenting a national picture brimming with joy, pride, and resilience.

The artistic performances and heritage performances were a major attraction for the audience, embodying the high symbolism of the palm tree’s place in the hearts of the people of Tihama, and cementing the presence of agriculture as a constant source of pride, dignity, and resilience in this productive and steadfast province.