In our globalized world, the specific dialects these families speak are fading. The young people are moving to the cities. The fields of the Alqran are being sold to developers. The forges of the Alayman are being replaced by Chinese factories.

While the Arab Alqran stayed rooted in one place to farm, the Alayman were often the traders or the blacksmiths. In tribal culture, the Alayman were known for their precision. Where the Alqran represented the heart of the village (memory), the Alayman represented the hands of the village (craftsmanship).

Disclaimer: This post is based on ethnographic interpretation of the provided terms. If these refer to specific political figures or contemporary entities, please reach out for a correction.

We may not all be able to trace our lineage back to such storied sands, but we can honor them by slowing down, listening to an elder, and fixing something with our own hands.