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Jeddah - Yasmine El Tohamy - RIYADH: “A trade in hand ensures against poverty” is a long-standing saying in the Baha region, mostly used by elderly people who work as carpenters and take advantage of the diverse trees in the area, such as the juniper, sweet acacia, sidr, and neem, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The region has a rich heritage of handicrafts and industries, which form an important part of its cultural identity and are passed down from generation to generation.

Locals are seeking to develop and modernize these crafts to keep pace with today’s challenges.

Mohammed Al-Zahrani, a carpenter in his 80s, said: “Carpentry is a difficult and tiring profession as it requires a lot of time and effort.

“It starts by getting the wood, which is usually from the sidr and sweet acacia trees which are scattered in the mountains and valleys of Al-Baha. The bark is then peeled and the wood is dried, after which the carpenter will cut and engrave according to employers’ demands.”

Al-Zahrani said that he engraves and decorates the wood with geometric shapes, which are either simple or original and unique, and he stressed that carpentry is his livelihood. He also said he introduced his children and grandchildren to it.

Al-Zahrani was showing his work at the social activity center in the village of Wadi Al-Arja in Bani Hassan Governorate, displaying wood engravings to show how his ancestors used to work in the past.