Meet the last of the singing Marsh Arabs

Straddling Iraq's life-giving Tigris and Euphrates rivers are the Hammar Marshes, an ancient Mesopotamian wetland where floating communities have lived for centuries. In recent years, the region has attracted visitors who come to marvel at the Madan’s, or Marsh Arabs, way of life; this aquatic community is famous for their ability to majestically navigate reed-covered waterways in hand-made canoes—all the while singing the songs of their forefathers across the delta.

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[Alex-yvqn]

May G-d bless the beautiful connection that these people have to their ancestral land, may they find peace, and may their cause be known to a world that will choose to give them back the rights they deserve. What an amazing documentary and an extraordinary people! I had always wondered about them.

[haydnrogan]

Recent studies demonstrate that the ma'dan are the closest living descendants of the Ancient Sumerians, through DNA analysis... amazing how historically and culturally rich these people are.

[freverhope]

He is not the last, we are still here 💜

[paoloantunes]

What a lesson he’s giving us.
The descendant of one of the first civilisations on earth.
We live in a self confident world that glorifies the instant the moment. But nothing is more powerful than time. He knows it and you must respect that.

[alessandraazevedo]

" I need a new life but I need to live this one". So sad and beautiful at the same time.

[Yasmin-jtux]

Watching this while understanding the dialect hits so different. May he be blessed.. May his home land be blessed.

[davewell]

This is beautiful. Shame it has only been viewed by a small audience.

[CatherineMarte]

I am grateful for my ears to have heard this man singing

[hnttakata]

I respect a rebel in his own land: hold onto traditions

[ainurabazekenova]

So poetical and beautiful: landscape, people, words, music...

[mikeletterst]

Marsh Arabs are the descendants of ancient Sumerians, the first civilization in the world! They should be protected and their culture should be preserved..

[sunitiseth]

Really haunting. Another lament for the past. Beautifully done.

[Ratkill]

This is about the only documentary piece Ive seen that uses a loud supporting soundtrack that well compliments the presentation. Well done

[mysurrealsynapse]

I saw this BBC documentary on these Marsh dwelling populace and the sad decline of the lush natural beauty. Beautiful in all regards.

[mohammadgm]

💙 تحية من الكويت 🇰🇼 لأهل العراق 🇮🇶 و خاصة أهــل الأهوار الطيبين
و نعم فيكم و أتمنى الحكومة العراقية تهتم بالأهوار و تعيد ترميم المضايف
حرام احنا العرب نخسر هذا الإرث العظيم .. يكفي خساير 💔

[EpiphanySpeaks]

So sad yet inspiring me to sing out more. Thank you! ✨🙏🏽✨

[Anwar.AJ.]

#Iraq was the most talented in history.. and look at it know 💔 now the iraqi people fitting their own government and all they asking for is to have freedom to live with dignity, to have good school, good hospital.. the Iraqi people suffered a lot from poverty and injustice and Corrupt leaders, also the Iranian permanent interference in the affairs of their country..! And every house in Iraq lost someone killed by the government or isis or Iran Militias.. if you read this please support them on Twitter in #IraqRevolution

[mu-isee]

ابو حيدر بكل مكان رافع راسنا تحياتنا الك ملك الاهوار

[quadrim.a.]

Its a great & Wonderful World 's Treasures ; its to be regrown rejuvinated inspite of all difficulties . The old traditions, culture and everything of Golden days must come back with International and National coperations being World's Tresure !

[DeathByDrone-ORmk]

This is how the Djinn must feel, because they too live for a long time, and some are part of the water! Time can be a devastating thing, as well as men and their wars.