Patrik Proško

The cornerstone of what I do on my journeys is always working with a specific place or object in the given location that is somehow unique to it. For Socotra, the most significant phenomenon is the Socotra Dragon Tree (Dracaena cinnabari), known worldwide for the red color of its resin. These are endemic trees that grow only on Socotra, with an estimated age of 300-500 years, but they have been here since the Mesozoic era, even witnessing the existence of dinosaurs. The locals call them "dam al-ichvajn" (the blood of two brothers). It is a mythological story of the brothers Qabeela and Habeela, where Qabeela killed Habeela over a woman they both loved, but their father, Adam, had promised her to Habeela. Qabeela then buried him in the ground, and from this first violent bloodshed on Earth, the Dragon Tree supposedly emerged. Dragon's blood was used as a remedy for inflammation, in the production of dyes, and later for coloring violins. Local women paint themselves with it when pregnant and for skin beautification. This is also why dragon's blood is in demand worldwide and is Sokotra's main export item. Locals extract the resin once every two to three years, providing them with an additional source of income. However, the trees are endangered, as they no longer naturally reproduce due to the overpopulation of goats on the island, which devour everything small and green. The only way to propagate them is through local nurseries, but it takes half a human life for the seedlings to grow large enough to be transplanted without being eaten by goats. Hopefully, the people of Socotra will manage to protect them from both goats and global demand. The process of creation was once again enriching. In Hadibo, I bought rolls of red fabric, various balls, and cushions, while the clips and buckles I brought from the Czech Republic. To reach the largest forest of Dragon Trees, which counts up to 2 million trees, we had to drive into the mountains up to an altitude of 1200 meters, over terrain that even I, as a seasoned driver, would find challenging. On-site, I had to obtain permission from the local guide and the tourism police officer, who also serves as the park manager in that area. I had to present the project to everyone and explain how I would do it. I eventually received permission, and everyone there helped with the project throughout the three days we worked on it. This includes my guide Ameer Ali Aldaarhy and Ahmed, the cook/driver, all in one. During the work, I realized that some things needed to be sewn to achieve the desired shape, but we had no needle and thread. The officer offered that we could go to his nearby hut, and his wife would sew it for me. And so, we went. It was a stone house with nothing inside—just a clay floor with rugs, a few sleeping pillows, and goats running around. I drew the shapes, his wife got to work, and we drank tea. I couldn't take photos there, as women are not allowed to be photographed. Then we returned to the site, but we found that the stuffing material was insufficient. We thought about what to use and started tearing leaves from the ground-level weeds, but it didn't work—it was too heavy and created uneven shapes. Ameer and Ahmed offered to give me their pillows that they sleep on, and I contributed mine. They even provided their blankets, and I did too. However, that still wasn't enough, and Ameer finally suggested that we could cut his mattress! It was unbelievable! So, one night, we slept without blankets and pillows, and Ameer even without a mattress. Later, I bought him a new one. The local guide also climbed into the crown of the tree up to five meters, and I guided him from below on where to attach each item (see time-lapse video). I was desperate at times, thinking I might not be able to handle it, but in the end, we managed it together. It's always a huge struggle to be somewhere in the wilderness where there's nothing and to make do only with what I bring with me. But without the local people, who were genuinely willing to help, I wouldn't have been able to do it, and I thank them very much for everything.