Oddity Central

The Ancient Sport of Camel Jumping in the Deserts of Yemen

Posted: 17 May 2012 09:18 AM PDT

The men of the Zaraniq tribe, on the west coast of Yemen, have a truly unique tradition – they jump over a row of camels just like modern daredevils jump over cars.

Famous throughout Yemen for their speed, strength and courage, the members of the Zaraniq tribe are the world’s only professional camel jumpers. Taking running starts, jumpers try to sail over as many camels as possible, before tumbling to the ground. During camel jumping events, the one who leaps over the highest number of camels is considered the winner. "This is what we do," says Bhayder Mohammed Yusef Qubaisi, one of the champions of the the Tihama-al-Yemen, a desert plain, on the coast of the Red Sea.

camel jumping The Ancient Sport of Camel Jumping in the Deserts of Yemen

Photo: Adam reynolds

The origins of camel jumping can be traced back to ancient times, but the tradition was almost completely forgotten, until recently, when Zaraniq members began practicing it once again. Camel-jumping events take place during local celebrations like weddings, and at the al-Khamis, an annual festival that marks the end of the palm season, and are always accompanied by singing and dancing. The traditional blue clothes, which identify them throughout Yemen, are rolled up around the waist before a jump.

camel jumping2 The Ancient Sport of Camel Jumping in the Deserts of Yemen

The tradition of camel jumping has been recently documented by photographers Adam Reynolds, from Bloomington, Indiana, and Canadian Ed Ou. Unfortunately, both reported Yemen remains a very poor country, a place frozen in time in the midst of the amazing change going on in the Arab world. The Tehama region, where the Zaraniq people live, is one of the poorest regions in the poorest country of the Arab world…

And before anyone starts making remarks about these camel jumpers using a small mound before leaping over the humped animals, I’d like to see you make it across.

Sources: Smithsonian Mag, NY Times

The Ancient Sport of Camel Jumping in the Deserts of Yemen was originally posted at OddityCentral.com

Ming Liang Lu – A Self-Described Master Paper Portrait Cutter

Posted: 17 May 2012 08:06 AM PDT

He’s not the best English speaker in New York, but his skills with the scissors makes Ming Liang Lu one of the most popular subway artists in the big city. The Chinese master claims the art he practices, cutting people’s portraits out of black paper, is unique in the world.

If you’ve ever used the metro, you’re probably familiar with subway performers like dancers or violin and guitar players, but Ming Liang Lu is a different kind of entertainer. Using a small piece of black paper and scissors, he’s able to create intricate, slightly caricatured portraits of subway riders and passers-by, even without looking at them for reference. That might not sound like a lot, but seeing him manipulate that small sheet of folded paper while holding the scissors almost completely still will blow your mind.

Ming Liang Lu Ming Liang Lu A Self Described Master Paper Portrait Cutter

Photo: Benito

Ming Liang Lu’s English is rudimentary, but it’s enough to make irresistible compliments to people who’s faces he finds worthy of his skill. While asking them the usual conversational questions like “how old are you?” or “where are you from?” , the Chinese master cuts away at his little piece of paper, replicating even fine details like hairs and wrinkles. After he’s done cutting, he shows his small masterpiece to everyone gathered around him and tapes it to a foam board full of other detailed portraits. The 57-year-old artist will cut you a portrait for a small fee, but most times he’s happy just recreating an interesting face. “Not about money” he says, “about face”.

Ming Liang Lu2 Ming Liang Lu A Self Described Master Paper Portrait Cutter

Photo: Benito

The art of paper cutting dates back to the Han Dynasty, in China, where it’s usually associated with traditional designs like animals and flowers. Ming Liang Lu adapted this old technique to create facial portraits. He says you’re not going to see anyone else do these, anywhere in the world. In his native Shanghai, Lu was renowned for stone sculpture and stamp seal carving, and credits his talent to create detailed paper portraits to his formative training in a three-dimensional form.