Translate this Blog

Traduisez , Übersetzen Sie, Traduca , Traduza , Traduzca , 翻訳しなさい , 번역하다 , 翻译 , يترجم

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Facebook Tools You Didn't Know Existed

1. Activity Log
Activity%2520log
You've probably seen that button on your cover photo labeled "Activity Log," but unless you're a Facebook power user you probably haven't explored this tool. It shows you every activity you do on Facebook, whether it's liking a photo, posting a status, or updating your information. You can even filter by type of activity to make it more targeted.

2. Ad Create Tool
Ad%2520create%2520tool
Facebook gives you a host of tools to make sure your business's ads are well made and prominently placed, starting with the Ad Create tool. You select a goal for promoting your business or page (like more page likes, increased app engagement, etc.) and the Ad Create tool automatically selects the right combination of ads to help you reach it.

3. App Center
Apps
You've been playing Candy Crush for months, but do you use Open Table's Facebook app to book a reservation? Or use the Spotify app to share your playlists with friends? If you want to browse new games and apps, the App Center is the place to go. Access it at the bottom of the left hand menu.

4. Browse
Browse
The Browse tool will filter out a randomly selected type of content through Facebook's Graph Search, whether it's videos that you've liked or people in your networks you haven't friended yet. For those using Facebook to kill time (and aren't we all using Facebook to kill time?), it's an excellent method of procrastination.

5. Conversation Tracking
Conversion%2520tracking
Setting up Conversion Tracking helps you track the effectiveness of your ads based on the specific action you want them to complete, like buying a product.

6. Custom Audiences
Custom%2520audiences
If you already have curated lists of audiences that you are using, you can upload them to your brand's Facebook account to make sharing a piece of cake. Don't worry, when you upload your lists, your information is encrypted so that no one can access it, even Facebook.

7. Export your Calendar
Export1
If your socialite status is spread out across multiple calendars, you can export your Facebook calendar information to keep with you when you're not online. Wouldn't want to miss a party, now would we?

8. Facebook Desktop Chat
Facebook%2520chat
Don't want to flip back to the Facebook tab every time you get a new message? You can use one of these instant messaging softwares to chat from your desktop.

9. Page Manager Application
Facebook%2520manager%2520app
If you're managing a brand's page and need to post on the go, the Facebook Manager App is available on the App Store and Google Play for easy access to your account even away from your desk.

10. Power Editor
Facebook%2520power%2520editor
If you're optimizing and managing many different ads at once, your brand should be using the Power Editor. You can easily make minor variations to the same ad to test what works the best with your audience. This is also where you can create custom audiences for sharing ads.

11. Interests
Interests
Facebook is full of great content that you don't need to miss. Treat the social site like a Feedly alternative and get content from various groups tailored to your own interests.

12. Chat Keyboard Shortcuts
Keyboard%2520shortcuts%2520messages
Want to navigate around chat more quickly? Then try keyboard shortcuts.

13. Page Insights
Page%2520insights
Page Insights is essentially Facebook's version of Google Analytics. Track your page's traffic to better understand how audiences are engaging with your page.

14. View As
View%2520as
If you want to be certain that your Aunt Mary didn't see those pictures of you from last weekend's bar crawl, use the View As tool to see your profile as she sees it. There. Crisis Averted.

If you liked this post, Dont forget to BOOKMARK it for others as well. Please CLICK your favorite SOCIAL BOOKMARKING ELEMENT:

StumpleUpon Ma.gnolia DiggIt! Del.icio.us Blinklist Yahoo Furl Technorati Simpy Spurl Reddit Google

Friday, October 25, 2013

Handicrafts of Balochistan

By Razamia Nadir Ali, Turbat
Balochistan has a long tradition in the production of handicrafts. This tradition began centuries ago, and it is still progressing. Handicrafts from Balochistan are known all over the world for the beauty of their designs and for the richness of the color, and its economical prices. Besides being popular within the country, these handicrafts are being exported to various foreign countries where these are warmly received, especially by the people of the west.balochi handicraft
Handicrafts skills in Balochistan and needle work of Balochistan are very attractive. This work is being done by the women and girls. The handicraft’s needle work is common all over the province of Balochistan. The women folk spend hours in doing the embroidery work as a means of earning for the family.
Needle-work in Balochistan is various designs and embroidery techniques which vary from place to place. Different areas of Balochistan are known for their distinctive designs. Dera Bugti is famous for ‘Kowchik’ stitching has its own pattern, which is embroidered on shawls and shirts for the women. It is famous and popular everywhere in Pakistan.
Kalat and Khuzdar districts are famous for their ‘Moshamka needle work.’ It involves stitch work in different colors. It may include the use of thing mirror work. Sibbi district is well known for her “Jok” needle work in which fine thread of various colors and shades is used. The “Jok” work is very popular all over the country.
The needle-work of on dress, cushions and bed sheets embroidered Balochi chapels of Balochistan are a special attraction for the people. Their beauty and artistic value is a matter of pride for those who put them on. Embroidered caps, purses and belts are also much in demand; large deposits of marble stone provided the material for the production of beautiful objects.  Marble table etc, ash-trays decoration pieces add to the glamour of the houses and offices. Crude marble is dug out in the Chaghi District of Balochistan.
Carpets and well-hangings of Balochistan are another source of attraction for everyone. Carpets form not only a special part of the setting in the tribal house holds, but the tradition has also won a place of popularity in the city homes. Balochi handicrafts are an important source of foreign exchange earnings for the country. Pottery and ornaments have always been the symbols of the development of civilization their Balochi ornaments; especially the silver ornaments show the skill and artistry of craftsmen. The handicrafts industry of Balochistan is encouraged and supported at the government level. It adds to the foreign exchange earnings in addition to providing jobs for thousands. The handicrafts also boost up the image of the country in international circles, because these reflect the artistic temperament of a nation.




Balochi Culture

Balochi Culture

Baloch culture is opposite to the general perception about it. Though Balochistan is an area of barren lands, deserts and mountains, the Baloch culture is full of traditions, arts and crafts. Balochi embroidery is one of the most popular arts and crafts which are done by the females. Baluchistan is also known for its tribes and festivals. Another distinct feature of Baloch culture is the storytelling tradition.  Poets and story tellers are highly respected in Baloch culture.

Tribes
The people belonging to Baloch tribe speak balochi language. Balochi language is an ancient language. Its roots are traced back to Iranian branch of Indo-European family.  It has resemblance with languages such as Sansikrat, Avesta, Old Persian and Phalavi, which now a days are said to be as dead languages. This tribe is further divided in to
  •  Rind
  •  Lashar
  •  Marri
  •  Jamot
  • Ahmedzai
  •  Bugti
  • domki
  •  Magsi
  • Khosa
  • Rakhashani
  •  Dashti Umrani
  •  Nosherwani
  • Gichki
  •  Buledi
  •  Sanjarani
  •  Khidai

The tribe has a head known as “sardar”, the sub divided tribes also have heads known as “Malik” or “Takari” or “Mir”. These tribe heads are members of districts and local Jirgas.

Marriages
In Baloch culture marriages are different and unique than in the other provinces of the country. The marriages are according to Islamic principles in presence of a Mullana along with the presence of witnesses. Every member of the family takes part in the marriage; they express their joy and happiness by following the traditions of their culture. Usually the marriages are done in young ages (teenage) but are arranged in early childhood or at birth. There is a very low or negligible ratio of love marriages as this is not appreciated across the culture in all tribes. Usually the marriages take place within tribes but at times intra tribal marriages are also conducted. Divorce rate is very low in the Baluchistan as compared to the other provinces of Pakistan because they consider is a matter of disrespect for the family and honor of the tribe. Different rituals are celebrated in different tribes. In some tribes there is a tradition of takings “Valver”, it is a sum of money paid by the groom to the family of the bride.

Dressing
Like all the other provinces of Pakistan the national dress shalwar kameez with distinct additions and modifications are worn in Baloch culture. The people dress up very pleasingly and in the same way in all the tribes. Turban is the common headwear of Bloch men along with wide loose shalwar along with knee-long shirts. Females dress consists of a shirt having a big pocket and embroidery and embedded round mirror work in front. A big Dupatta/ Chaddar is taken to cover the head and shoulders.

Festivals
Both religious and social festivals are celebrated by Baloch people. The religious festivals are same as across the country like Eid-ul-Azha and Eid-ul-Fiter. These religious festivals are celebrated by decorating houses wearing new dresses cooking special dishes. Baloch culture is full of many social festivals like Sibi festival which has folk music performance, cultural dances, handicrafts stalls, cattle shows and a number of other entertaining activities showing the colorful side of Baloch people. Buzkashi is another festival showing rather enhancing the bravery tactfulness and bravery of Baloch people. It is celebrated on horse-back by two teams that use their skills to snatch a goat from the each other.

Music
Baloch culture is rich in folk music dances and songs. Famous wedding songs of Baloch culture areNazenk and Salonk. The instruments used are mainly a flute, locally called Nal, Tamboora and Soroz. A common Baloch folk dance is known as Dochaap. Women also move in a circle clapping their hands on certain occasions. Other dances include the Lewa, Latti and Hambo.

Food
Usually Baloch people have meals in morning and evening. Men and women eat separately. Wheat, millet and rice are part of the Baloch meal. Meat is also an important part; “Sajji” is the favorite dish of most people. Sajji is the food eaten with knife other than that Baloch people usually eat with hands. Milk, butter and vegetables are also part of Baloch cuisine.

Sports
Popular games include chauk, and Ji. Also games like wrestling, horse racing, shooting and hunting pastimes among the wealthier people of tribes. Card games and gambling are also popular among groups of some tribes.


Forgotten treasures of Balochistan

Published: April 18, 2013
Industry insiders feel the business is slowly dying as there are no buyers left. PHOTO: PUBLICITY
KARACHI: 
Mohammad Ibrahim Langou deals in gemstones while Haji Abdul Hanan Khilji collects antique coins. The vendor and antique collector from Quetta, respectively, recently came to Karachi and exhibited their collections at the International Gems and Jewellery Show Pakistan, which was held at the Pearl Continental hotel on Saturday. They shared their stories with The Express Tribune.
“Mining of gemstones has been happening for the past 100 to 150 years in this part of the world [Balochistan],” says Langou, who owns a shop called Balochistan Gems, Jewellery and Handicraft in Quetta. “However, things have changed drastically over the years; tribal houses govern the mines now and this field has become a difficult place for others to enter.”
This vendor has been in the business as a middleman for almost four years now. But he admits working conditions in Quetta are not hassle-free due to the current scenario and political instability. “Politics have gravely affected the business of mining and gemstones,” he says, with regret in his eyes. He says the industry has faced a blip, and that there are no profits or buyers.
Although Langou visits the Chaghai and Kharan belts — areas which are rich in gemstones such as Lapis Lazuli and Peridot — he feels the industry in Quetta, which was once frequented by tourists from the west as well as from the Far East, is dying,
Antique collector Khilji, who has passionately been collecting coins since he was a little boy, was also present at the exhibition. “Travelers from other parts of the world sell these off to me,” he says, talking about how he owns centuries old remnants. And yet while these coins depict heritage, there are no buyers. “There aren’t any buyers in such a political set-up but things are looking good in the near future. With elections, things might just change for the better,” he exclaims.
While speaking to The Express Tribune, Khilji — owner of a shop in Quetta called Saif Jewellers Ambers & Handicrafts — pointed out one of his most precious collectibles: a coin with British Queen Victoria. His collection also included relics which would take a person to another era altogether such as that of the Abbasids or that of Mehmood Ghaznavi.
He only gathers and displays select coins; he admits that he dreads traveling to the no-go areas of the Baloch region, calling the Bilour belt and Faryab region troublesome places to be seen in.
With almost 24 years to his journey, and about 200 pieces in his extensive collection, Khilji reveals that he will leave his inherited pieces to his children and would love to have them follow in his footsteps.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 19th, 2013.                    
Like Life & Style on Facebook for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.

If you liked this post, Dont forget to BOOKMARK it for others as well. Please CLICK your favorite SOCIAL BOOKMARKING ELEMENT:

StumpleUpon Ma.gnolia DiggIt! Del.icio.us Blinklist Yahoo Furl Technorati Simpy Spurl Reddit Google

Handicrafts of Balochistan

By Razamia Nadir Ali, Turbat
Balochistan has a long tradition in the production of handicrafts. This tradition began centuries ago, and it is still progressing. Handicrafts from Balochistan are known all over the world for the beauty of their designs and for the richness of the color, and its economical prices. Besides being popular within the country, these handicrafts are being exported to various foreign countries where these are warmly received, especially by the people of the west.balochi handicraft
Handicrafts skills in Balochistan and needle work of Balochistan are very attractive. This work is being done by the women and girls. The handicraft’s needle work is common all over the province of Balochistan. The women folk spend hours in doing the embroidery work as a means of earning for the family.
Needle-work in Balochistan is various designs and embroidery techniques which vary from place to place. Different areas of Balochistan are known for their distinctive designs. Dera Bugti is famous for ‘Kowchik’ stitching has its own pattern, which is embroidered on shawls and shirts for the women. It is famous and popular everywhere in Pakistan.
Kalat and Khuzdar districts are famous for their ‘Moshamka needle work.’ It involves stitch work in different colors. It may include the use of thing mirror work. Sibbi district is well known for her “Jok” needle work in which fine thread of various colors and shades is used. The “Jok” work is very popular all over the country.
The needle-work of on dress, cushions and bed sheets embroidered Balochi chapels of Balochistan are a special attraction for the people. Their beauty and artistic value is a matter of pride for those who put them on. Embroidered caps, purses and belts are also much in demand; large deposits of marble stone provided the material for the production of beautiful objects.  Marble table etc, ash-trays decoration pieces add to the glamour of the houses and offices. Crude marble is dug out in the Chaghi District of Balochistan.
Carpets and well-hangings of Balochistan are another source of attraction for everyone. Carpets form not only a special part of the setting in the tribal house holds, but the tradition has also won a place of popularity in the city homes. Balochi handicrafts are an important source of foreign exchange earnings for the country. Pottery and ornaments have always been the symbols of the development of civilization their Balochi ornaments; especially the silver ornaments show the skill and artistry of craftsmen. The handicrafts industry of Balochistan is encouraged and supported at the government level. It adds to the foreign exchange earnings in addition to providing jobs for thousands. The handicrafts also boost up the image of the country in international circles, because these reflect the artistic temperament of a nation.




Balochi Culture

Balochi Culture

Baloch culture is opposite to the general perception about it. Though Balochistan is an area of barren lands, deserts and mountains, the Baloch culture is full of traditions, arts and crafts. Balochi embroidery is one of the most popular arts and crafts which are done by the females. Baluchistan is also known for its tribes and festivals. Another distinct feature of Baloch culture is the storytelling tradition.  Poets and story tellers are highly respected in Baloch culture.

Tribes
The people belonging to Baloch tribe speak balochi language. Balochi language is an ancient language. Its roots are traced back to Iranian branch of Indo-European family.  It has resemblance with languages such as Sansikrat, Avesta, Old Persian and Phalavi, which now a days are said to be as dead languages. This tribe is further divided in to
  •  Rind
  •  Lashar
  •  Marri
  •  Jamot
  • Ahmedzai
  •  Bugti
  • domki
  •  Magsi
  • Khosa
  • Rakhashani
  •  Dashti Umrani
  •  Nosherwani
  • Gichki
  •  Buledi
  •  Sanjarani
  •  Khidai

The tribe has a head known as “sardar”, the sub divided tribes also have heads known as “Malik” or “Takari” or “Mir”. These tribe heads are members of districts and local Jirgas.

Marriages
In Baloch culture marriages are different and unique than in the other provinces of the country. The marriages are according to Islamic principles in presence of a Mullana along with the presence of witnesses. Every member of the family takes part in the marriage; they express their joy and happiness by following the traditions of their culture. Usually the marriages are done in young ages (teenage) but are arranged in early childhood or at birth. There is a very low or negligible ratio of love marriages as this is not appreciated across the culture in all tribes. Usually the marriages take place within tribes but at times intra tribal marriages are also conducted. Divorce rate is very low in the Baluchistan as compared to the other provinces of Pakistan because they consider is a matter of disrespect for the family and honor of the tribe. Different rituals are celebrated in different tribes. In some tribes there is a tradition of takings “Valver”, it is a sum of money paid by the groom to the family of the bride.

Dressing
Like all the other provinces of Pakistan the national dress shalwar kameez with distinct additions and modifications are worn in Baloch culture. The people dress up very pleasingly and in the same way in all the tribes. Turban is the common headwear of Bloch men along with wide loose shalwar along with knee-long shirts. Females dress consists of a shirt having a big pocket and embroidery and embedded round mirror work in front. A big Dupatta/ Chaddar is taken to cover the head and shoulders.

Festivals
Both religious and social festivals are celebrated by Baloch people. The religious festivals are same as across the country like Eid-ul-Azha and Eid-ul-Fiter. These religious festivals are celebrated by decorating houses wearing new dresses cooking special dishes. Baloch culture is full of many social festivals like Sibi festival which has folk music performance, cultural dances, handicrafts stalls, cattle shows and a number of other entertaining activities showing the colorful side of Baloch people. Buzkashi is another festival showing rather enhancing the bravery tactfulness and bravery of Baloch people. It is celebrated on horse-back by two teams that use their skills to snatch a goat from the each other.

Music
Baloch culture is rich in folk music dances and songs. Famous wedding songs of Baloch culture areNazenk and Salonk. The instruments used are mainly a flute, locally called Nal, Tamboora and Soroz. A common Baloch folk dance is known as Dochaap. Women also move in a circle clapping their hands on certain occasions. Other dances include the Lewa, Latti and Hambo.

Food
Usually Baloch people have meals in morning and evening. Men and women eat separately. Wheat, millet and rice are part of the Baloch meal. Meat is also an important part; “Sajji” is the favorite dish of most people. Sajji is the food eaten with knife other than that Baloch people usually eat with hands. Milk, butter and vegetables are also part of Baloch cuisine.

Sports
Popular games include chauk, and Ji. Also games like wrestling, horse racing, shooting and hunting pastimes among the wealthier people of tribes. Card games and gambling are also popular among groups of some tribes.


Forgotten treasures of Balochistan

Published: April 18, 2013
Industry insiders feel the business is slowly dying as there are no buyers left. PHOTO: PUBLICITY
KARACHI: 
Mohammad Ibrahim Langou deals in gemstones while Haji Abdul Hanan Khilji collects antique coins. The vendor and antique collector from Quetta, respectively, recently came to Karachi and exhibited their collections at the International Gems and Jewellery Show Pakistan, which was held at the Pearl Continental hotel on Saturday. They shared their stories with The Express Tribune.
“Mining of gemstones has been happening for the past 100 to 150 years in this part of the world [Balochistan],” says Langou, who owns a shop called Balochistan Gems, Jewellery and Handicraft in Quetta. “However, things have changed drastically over the years; tribal houses govern the mines now and this field has become a difficult place for others to enter.”
This vendor has been in the business as a middleman for almost four years now. But he admits working conditions in Quetta are not hassle-free due to the current scenario and political instability. “Politics have gravely affected the business of mining and gemstones,” he says, with regret in his eyes. He says the industry has faced a blip, and that there are no profits or buyers.
Although Langou visits the Chaghai and Kharan belts — areas which are rich in gemstones such as Lapis Lazuli and Peridot — he feels the industry in Quetta, which was once frequented by tourists from the west as well as from the Far East, is dying,
Antique collector Khilji, who has passionately been collecting coins since he was a little boy, was also present at the exhibition. “Travelers from other parts of the world sell these off to me,” he says, talking about how he owns centuries old remnants. And yet while these coins depict heritage, there are no buyers. “There aren’t any buyers in such a political set-up but things are looking good in the near future. With elections, things might just change for the better,” he exclaims.
While speaking to The Express Tribune, Khilji — owner of a shop in Quetta called Saif Jewellers Ambers & Handicrafts — pointed out one of his most precious collectibles: a coin with British Queen Victoria. His collection also included relics which would take a person to another era altogether such as that of the Abbasids or that of Mehmood Ghaznavi.
He only gathers and displays select coins; he admits that he dreads traveling to the no-go areas of the Baloch region, calling the Bilour belt and Faryab region troublesome places to be seen in.
With almost 24 years to his journey, and about 200 pieces in his extensive collection, Khilji reveals that he will leave his inherited pieces to his children and would love to have them follow in his footsteps.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 19th, 2013.                    
Like Life & Style on Facebook for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.

If you liked this post, Dont forget to BOOKMARK it for others as well. Please CLICK your favorite SOCIAL BOOKMARKING ELEMENT:

StumpleUpon Ma.gnolia DiggIt! Del.icio.us Blinklist Yahoo Furl Technorati Simpy Spurl Reddit Google

You Can Hold This Ice Cream of the Future in Your Bare Hands


In a little shop near the Louvre museum in Paris, a very strange type of ice cream is being sold. At the counter customers don’t order cups, cones or shakes; here they ask for WikiPearls, little donut hole-sized balls of ice cream that are covered in a flavored, protective skin. “People come in and say, ‘What’s this all about?’” says David Edwards, the mastermind behind WikiPearl and the newly opened WikiBar. It’s a very good question, actually. Much like Dippin’ Dots, the pearl-like ice cream that blew kids’ minds in the ‘90s, WikiPearls is angling to change the way we eat ice cream. But it’s not just frozen snacks that Edwards is looking to revolutionize—the Harvard bioengineering professor has bigger plans than that.
“You could say I want an orange soda with a French-fry skin.”
Back in 2009 Edwards and French designer Francois Azambourg began developing a new technology to eliminate packaging from foods. Called WikiCells, the edible soft skins are made from natural food particles that are bound together by nutritive ions. The goal was to reduce plastic waste while improving human health through portion control and vitamin-supplemented skins. WikiPearl is the first commercialized product born from the technology, mainly because ice cream is delicious, and it’s the least weird form his WikiCells could possibly take. “Some products are a more radical departure from what people are used to than others,” he says. “But ice cream and frozen yogurt in the WikiPearl form is really easily understood. It’s sort of very intuitive.” Three 50-calorie balls roughly equals a cup of Häagen-Dazs ice cream, and so far they come in three flavors: mango with a coconut skin, chocolate with a hazelnut skin and vanilla with a peanut skin. An added bonus: they melt a helluva lot slower than regular ice cream. Put a few balls inside a specially-designed cooler that’s sold at WikiBar and Edwards says they can last up to eight hours (good news for those of us who’ve been trying to bring ice cream for lunch).
The WikiBar opened up in June, a stone’s throw away from the Louvre in Paris. Image: Raphael CEI
The WikiBar, a modern-day Willy Wonka space designed by Mathieu Lehanneur, is more or less an experimental laboratory disguised as a retail ice cream shop where Edwards can test his theories about how we might eat in the future. “We view what happens in the WikiBar very much as collaboration with the public where we’re sort of trying new things out,” he explains. This follows the form of Edwards’ other venture Le Laboratoire, a community innovation lab where he gets feedback on the technology he and his partners develop. “It’s hard to be inventing for 2025 and not have any dialogue with the public,” he says. Edwards views the brick and mortar WikiBar as a way to not only introduce the WikiPearl concept to the public, but also to ready the product for its commercial launch this fall in the United States  and  prepare for another WikiBar opening in Cambridge, Mass., next year.
But WikiPearls is really just the beginning for Edwards. He estimates that by 2014 wiki vending machines where customers can make their own combinations of filling and skins, should be available to use at the WikiBars. “You could say I want an orange soda with a french fry skin, or whatever it is,” he explains, “And then it’s made there in the machine.” Long-term, he envisions wiki technology in the home where parents could customize the fillings and skins to make their children a package-free lunch. “It’s completely, completely doable,” he says. “And something that we’re working on.”
Of course, technology is nothing without adoption. And the fact is, when you’re used to drinking a soda from a can or eating yogurt from a plastic cup, it’s weird to pop a little food ball in your mouth and call it a meal. Edwards acknowledges that the adoption curve is going to take some time, but he figures starting with ice cream, yogurt and cheese should lessen the strangeness of wiki-eating. “The reality is we’ve been eating the same way with the same instincts for a very long time, and changing that is not easy,” Edwards concedes. “Even if it makes sense on paper, really changing your habits is a big deal.” Still, he’s optimistic that the wiki revolutionary is going to happen–mainly because it has to happen. “Just think all those little ketchup things or the little mustard or mayonnaise things that are plastic, plastic, plastic. Those should be edible, right?” he says. “There’s so many things to do here.”

If you liked this post, Dont forget to BOOKMARK it for others as well. Please CLICK your favorite SOCIAL BOOKMARKING ELEMENT:

StumpleUpon Ma.gnolia DiggIt! Del.icio.us Blinklist Yahoo Furl Technorati Simpy Spurl Reddit Google

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

The Date Harvest and Everything Else You Ever Wanted To Know About Dates

The Date Harvest and Everything Else You Ever Wanted To Know About Dates (Pictorial)





The date season really begins early in the year when we clean up the trees after the end of the dormant period. At this time, we have to start by cutting the thorns off of the date fronds. They say that everything in the desert protects itself by stinging, biting, or poking. And the date trees are no different. They have thorns that are approximately 4 to 5 inches long, and can easily pierce thru a truck tire. So the very first thing we do is to remove the thorns to make it possible to work in the date trees.





The Sex Life of a Date


Date Palms are unique in that they are either a male tree or a female tree. The male trees produce pollen, and the female trees produce flowers. Unfortunately, neither birds or bees are attracted to the flowers, so the females have to be hand pollinated.




During the later part of February we begin to watch for the sheaths on the male trees to begin splitting open. We check each tree every single day. As soon as a sheath on a male tree begins to open, it is tied with string to hold it together, and removed from the tree.



(Notice how the worker is actually standing in the tree. Each frond can hold approximately 250 pounds.)












Here you get a much better view of the pollen because the sheath is split wide open. Once the sheath on the male tree opens, we will cut the whole sheath out of the tree, then hang it upside down to dry. Once the pollen has dried to a very fine powder, we sift it into a large air-tight container for storage.
















A male sheath that has been removed from the tree. Notice the small split where it is starting to break open. This sheath probably weighs close to 10 pounds.








The female trees have the same kind of sheath, and as they begin to flower, we will remove the sheath and separate each strand. We then tie the strands together and hand pollinate the flowers using the fresh pollen that we have collected from the male trees. We use a small ketchup squirt bottle for this process. We pollinate each female tree at least three times.









Around April or May, as the fruit begins to "bud" on the strands, we will begin the thinning process.

















First, we open up each bunch of strands that we have tied together, and cut out the middle, leaving only the outside strands. Then we remove about 90% of the dates from each strand. This allows better air flow, and the chance for each individual date to grow to it's optimum size.









It is not unusual for the temperatures to be above 100 degrees during May when we are thinning, and closer to 120 degrees during the date harvest, so most of our date workers will wear long sleeved shirts and long pants, and cover their faces with bandannas to protect themselves from both the sun and the heat.






This is a strand of Medjool Dates before being thinned. By removing the majority of the dates, the ones that are left will have enough room to grow to a march larger size.















This is the same strand of dates. As you can see, there are a lot less dates on the strand, but the number of pounds per tree will be the same, it's just that the dates will be significantly larger.













Watering & Irrigating the Date Trees


Date trees take as much water as a willow tree, yet they cannot tolerate rain or humidity. That's why dates have to be grown in the hot desert, where our average rainfall is less then 3 inches per year, and our summer temperatures reach in excess of 120 degrees.





The ground around the date trees has to be kept clear of grass and weeds which cause humidity. Special "borders" are built up around the trees in order to flood irrigate and contain the water at the root of the tree.














This special border disker scoops up the sand and forms a border around the date trees.

















These borders keep the water where it is needed, at the root of the date trees. Each tree requires approximately nine acre-feet of water per year, but only at it's roots!



You could think of it as someone who likes to wade in the water, but doesn't want to get their hair wet!
















The borders help conserve water and eliminate grass and weeds throughout the grove.
















Bags & Bunches





Our foreman is holding a small "bunch" of dates that has been cut down from the tree. Notice the thickness of the main stalk. This picture was taken early last August, before the dates had ripened.




















A bunch of dates (not Medjools) just prior to the date harvest.











Around the beginning of August, the Medjool Dates are covered with a white muslin bag to protect the dates from birds and insects. The bags also help to catch any dates that ripen prior to the beginning of the date harvest.










Because each bunch is quite heavy, the fronds below the date bunches are positioned to help hold the weight of the dates.













Transplanting Date Pups





All of our date trees are grown from pups (offshoots from the parent tree). This guarantees that both the tree and the fruit produced will be identical to the parent. It takes between 6 to 8 years before the pups will be big enough to transplant, and then another six or seven years before they will begin to produce.















To make it easier to separate the pups from the parent tree, we have attached a special chisel to the backhoe. The backhoe can exert quite a bit more force then an individual worker.


















A date pup partially separated from it's parent tree.
















After the new pups have been planted, they are given a "flat top" haircut, and wrapped in cardboard to protect the heart. They will receive a constant flow of water thru a drip irrigation system.


















THE DATE HARVEST





Although many date farms still use ladders, we use a U-Shaped basket on a forklift to reach the dates. We will be able to utilize this method until the trees are approx. 40 ft. tall.














The forklift will be parked at the base of the tree, so that the tree trunk is positioned between the forks. The basket will then be lifted to an appropriate height so the dates can be easily harvested.













As the basket is being lifted into the tree, the pickers are holding plastic trays that will be suspended from a branch so that they will hang underneath the date bunches while they harvest the dates.













Once the trays are in place the pickers will untie the bottom of the bags covering the dates and shake out any dates that have already ripened and fallen off the strands.


If you look at the bag to the far left side of the picture, you can see that all of the dates have ripened and fallen to the bottom of the bag. This is unusual, as most Medjool dates have to be individually removed from the strands by hand.)





Once the tray is full, it will be lowered down and an empty tray will be sent back up.

















The full trays will be emptied into a larger screened tray, then taken to the processing area for sorting.











The dates are brought in from the grove in either these large wooden screen trays, or else in smaller black plastic trays.












Most of the dates come in from the grove already ripe, but occasionally we get some that are still yellow. These yellow dates have to be left out in the heat (not the sun) to finish ripening.


(We do receive a lot of requests for "yellow dates" but we don't sell them at that stage because it is impossible to guarantee that the dates will not have finished ripening by the time they are received.)





The dates that have to be left in the heat to ripen have to be sorted individually as each date will ripen at it's own pace.














The dates are then emptied from the trays onto a shaker table that rocks gently back and forth. The table is covered in wet terry cloth towels. As the dates roll very slowly down the table, they are cleaned by the wet towels. (Of course, the towels are changed frequently throughout the day.)










The dates then roll onto a conveyor belt where they will be sorted by size and quality.














From there the dates are then packed and moved into cold storage until they are sold.











If you liked this post, Dont forget to BOOKMARK it for others as well. Please CLICK your favorite SOCIAL BOOKMARKING ELEMENT:

StumpleUpon Ma.gnolia DiggIt! Del.icio.us Blinklist Yahoo Furl Technorati Simpy Spurl Reddit Google

Contact Me or Subscribe to my posts

Click to Join my FaceBook Blog Group Page

If you want to send a quick message to me, please click

To Subscribe to my posts, please choose:

Search my Blog for posts that are of interest to you...results will be displayed below

Custom Search

Here are the Results, if you seached for a post

Blog Archive

About Me

My photo
Dubai, DXB, United Arab Emirates

Washington, USA

Western Europe Time (GMT)

Dubai

Pakistan

Australia