Shampoo for sheep, a photo from Halab, North

Photographer's Note

There is very little to say about this photo, but I will give you a long note just for fun. ;-)

This is just a snapshot from one of the narrow alleys in the old part of Aleppo, Syria in 1995. I don't know if the boys were washing the sheep to make it look nice before it was to be sacrificed in a religious ritual, or if they just had had enough of its smell.

This is a scan of a Kodachrome slide. Here is a larger version. There is no workshop today.

I probably took this photo very close to where I saw these boys. Reading my diary to see if there was any reference to any of these photos (there wasn't) I was reminded of what a multicultural city Aleppo was before the war. Walking through the old parts I crossed from Muslim areas into Christian areas dominated in turn by various congregations. I noted that the Armenian district looked so much more European than the rest of the city.

I fear that all such differences that make a city alive and exciting have been wiped out by now in the "cleansing" process of the war.

The following paragraphs, describing some other memories of Aleppo, are just for the dedicated enthusiasts of background stories:

Reading my diary I was also reminded that my greatest experience in Aleppo was neither the large Ummayad mosque (severely damaged during the early part of the war) nor the medieval Citadel, but the relatively small National Museum of Aleppo, mainly focusing on archaeological treasures found in northern Syria. Unfortunately I have no photos from it, but I used three pages of my diary to describe some of the many wonderful pieces I saw, most of them more than 3.000 years old.

Quoting Wikipedia: "In July 2016 the museum was hit by numerous missiles and mortar shells fired by rebel forces. This caused extensive damage to the roof and structure of the building. Most of the collection had already been evacuated but concerns have been expressed regarding items which could not be moved."

For many years I have wondered what happened to the hundreds of clay tablets describing in cuneiform life 4.000-5.000 years ago. Like the Princess telling her father, the King of another country, that she had given birth to twins: a boy and a girl. Another Princess, married off to a foreign Prince, wrote a letter (on a clay tablet) to her little sister telling her funny stories of the strange habits of the new court where she was living. And I had noted the instructions from the authorities how to make sure a disease carried by a certain woman, whose name was mentioned, should not be allowed to spread: "Do not eat from the same bowl, do not sit on her chair or sleep in her bed".

I remember a vase, thousands of years old and in a perfect shape, looking like it would have been modern in the 1950's. I remember lifesize statues of a priestess and a priest.

And so many other irreplaceable items that gave me goosebumps from excitement.

May they all have been preserved somewhere in a secret vault, just like the treasures of Kabul Museum were saved from the Taliban.

Syria was one of the cradles of human civilization and Aleppo was, until recently, one of the greatest cities in the Middle East. I only regret I was there in the pre-digital area and returned with so few photos.

pajaran, ikeharel, alvaraalto, alvaraalto, drt100, pierrefonds, jhm, GyurMaster, lousat, Royaldevon, PaulVDV, COSTANTINO, Fis2, ChrisJ, rychem, PiotrF, papagolf21, mehrdad-t, ktanska, mcmtanyel, macjake, jean113, adramad, gervaso, maloutim, cornejo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

pajaran (116065) 2019-10-20 2:06

Pozdrav.
Interesantan pogled i trenutak, dobar tekst ...
Lepo pokazano, dobro uhvacen trenutak.
Dobar rad skeniranjem, lepa fotografija.
Zelim vam lep dan za odmor, sve najbolje.
Paja.

Greeting.
An interesting look and a moment, good text ...
Beautifully shown, well captured moment.
Good scan work, nice photo.
Have a nice day for you, all the best.

BennyV (34748) 2019-10-20 3:03

A really heartwarming daily life shot from times gone by, Gert. With this kind of pictures, I always wonder how/where the people are now.

Benny

alvaraalto (42804) 2019-10-20 3:09

Hello Gert,
With great interest, I have read your excellent story again and enjoyed the beautiful photo with the boys washing the sheep.
A much more attractive and peaceful way of cleaning than the cleansing effect of the war.
Have a nice Sunday, groet Rob

drt100 (4038) 2019-10-20 3:23

You are as gifted with words as you are in photography. My old slides need something better to transform them into digital images. You have done superb here. I was in India at this time and took very few photos. I think there may have been a 1.2 megapixel camera but was not as good as the film ones then. This daily life scene could easily happen in 2004 or 2014 but for human intervention life could have progressed well. I wish you had taken a thousand photos as they would have, like this one, been well done and could have preserved life there before dark forces consumed it. THANKS for being there and doing what you could. Respect to you - drt100 David

Silvio1953 (221781) 2019-10-20 3:48

Ciao Gert, nice scene, lovely daily life composition, splendid light, excellent clarity and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

Tue (92548) 2019-10-20 4:45

Hej Gert,
Du var heldig at du fik set en af verdens 熞dste byer og museet inden den blev 鷣elagt af den forf熳delige krig. Dette er et godt indtryk af dagligdagen og billedet fokuserer meget godt p� de to drenge og f緳et. Manden til h鷮re synes ogs� at undre sig hvad de har gang i.
Lars

pierrefonds (114608) 2019-10-20 4:57

Hi Gert,

You have captured well the action of the persons wahsing the sheep. It is hard to define the expression of the sheep. The light has a good effect on the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

jhm (211736) 2019-10-20 5:19

Hello Gert,

The animals become better takes care than sometimes people, but superb for the sheep.
But, slaughter without anesthetic is possible, this is not pleasant.
An old picture but with much enthusiasm photographed.
Nice daily life image.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice day,
John

GyurMaster (24840) 2019-10-20 6:14

Dear Gert,

Besides being funny, its an excellent photo-report of that era, executed very well technologically: the main subjected is well-highlighted against the dark bg and the vivid pullover of the boy also stands out well against the dull environment. I also like that the sheep is staring into the camera, like it was saying: 'Dude, seriously?' This effect is enhanced by the man on the right, who also look a bit surprised. I have no other chance, but to fave it!

Best Wishes,
Gy.

PS: Nowadays, if someone wants to wash his/her dog before going home, Wash & Vau (vau is the sound for barking in Hungarian) machines are available here in Hungary. These kids were ahead of their time.

lousat (139362) 2019-10-20 6:28

Hi Gert,your note are very useful and turn on my memories too about Aleppo. And the scene is lovely and unique,never seen before.I don't know me too why they are doing that,but no problems...it's a great report! Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

Royaldevon (85932) 2019-10-20 7:55

Hello Gert,

A delightful scene in which the sheep looks surprisingly content to be washed. I hope it was to remove a smell rather than for a sacrifice!
It's nicely composed and has good depth, created by the approaching figures.
This activity is often seen in the U.K. in modern times. The sheep, or other farm animals, are washed and shampooed before they are exhibited at show-grounds. The cleaner and fluffier that they look, the more likely they are to win a prize; the more prizes they have obtained, the more valuable they become.

LIke you, I hope that the priceless objects have been saved. It's a tragedy to think that objects which have survived for so many millennia, should be destroyed in one foul swoop.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

jmdias (115342) 2019-10-20 8:26

gert

in fact a curious flagrant whose purpose make us to think about. this image remind me the thousand os sheep that died two days ago in the southern state of brazil, they were sheared in a day of intense heat and few days after the temperature fell down fast and they died. I had see this about cows here in brazil, but never sheep.

take care

jorge

PaulVDV (63024) 2019-10-20 9:25

Hello Gert,
It's a funny picture.
Also the passing man and boy look at the sheep being washed.
One boy must hold the animal's horns firmly. Not the most rewarding task for the other guy, I guess.
But it offered you a great daily life-picture.
They must have noticed your presence. Yet everyone just continues with his activity.
Very interesting!
Best regards, Paul

COSTANTINO (116674) 2019-10-20 9:26

Hello dear GERT
thanks for sharing with us notes just for fun...
yew here there is a question...why the boys
were washing the sheep????
but never mind this scan of a Kodachrome makes
miracles...
your diary is areal treasure
I repeat..please issue your diary in a book
in which you will describe the biggest
part of your life an international photographer
the last lines describe the whole spirit...
Syria was one of the cradles of the human
civilazation and Aleppo was until recently
one of the greatest cities in Middle East
welldone
regards
Costantino

Fis2 (170945) 2019-10-20 9:47

Witaj Gert!
Wow wonderul scene from street.
Excellent picture from daily life.
Very well done.
Good evening.
Krzysztof

mesutilgim (0) 2019-10-20 13:11

Hello Gert,
Your archive is a real "treasure" !
Also this capture from Syria taken almost a quarter century ago is a real value.
Both photographycally and informative perfect TE entry.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

Miguel82 (47110) 2019-10-20 13:14

Gert, sheeps and goats don t like water. It is rare to see people washing their animals with soap. They are maybe preparing the sheep to be sacrified. The picture shows also the activity in the cobbled street. Fine colors, good image quality, absorbing photo note, regards.

ChrisJ (171888) 2019-10-20 14:36

Hello Gert,

At least you were in Aleppo before it was partly destroyed in the current ongoing civil war. Analogue photos are always better than no photos at all. An excellent daily life scene of the sheep being washed. Ramadan / Eid were in February / March 1995, so it probably just needed a wash. Tfs!

Gerrit (62042) 2019-10-20 14:39

Heloo Gert,
Fine scenery. Ineteresting subject and the light is very beautiful.
Thanks and regards,
Gerrit

rychem (72187) 2019-10-20 15:51

A very good archive photo and a very interesting note, it is sad that war is almost constant in this country
regards Ryszard

PiotrF (54882) 2019-10-20 15:59

Hello Gert,
Interesting daily life scene from Aleppo.
Great picture from your archive.
I like nice composition, beautiful colours and good sharpness.
Fine presentation.
Regards
Piotr

Nicou (193806) 2019-10-20 20:50

Hello

ce shampoing pour le mouton quelle vue et sc鋝e tr鋊 originale et int廨essante comme ils frottent le corps du mouton il faut laver pour que la laine soit belle avec ce pavage dans la rue 'est une tr鋊 belle capture des geste une superbe sc鋝e
Bravo et amiti�
Nicou

papagolf21 (152607) 2019-10-20 23:16

Bonjour, cher Gert,
Comment ne pas 皻re enthousiasm� � voir et lire vos 嶰rits � travers le temps.
C'est un pur r嶲al. Merci d'avoir conserv� pr嶰ieusement vos cahiers de voyages.
Amiti廥.
Philippe

CLODO (45116) 2019-10-21 1:03

Hi Gert

It was one of your first "nothing special" pictures, you were and still are interested by the daily life on the different countries of the world. I am amazed by the way you recorded all your thoughts on a diary for years!
Funny scene for sure
Cheers
CLODO

ikeharel (113501) 2019-10-21 3:09

Hello Gert,
Your series of daily-life scenes from Syria from long ago, always makes me think what on earth is going on there nowadays and how these guys had endured the civil war.
Pity, but there could be peace in the region, as the simple people want only to live and make a decent living.
Good reportage.
Best regards,
Ike

mehrdad-t (4812) 2019-10-21 8:11

Hello,
really beautiful work.
I wish you a nice day!
Mehrdad

ktanska (44838) 2019-10-21 11:33

Hej Gert,
Quite surprising scene, and that wash seems to be pretty thorough. Strangely the sheep seems to be more interested on you than those guys. Perfectly framed view showing also two passerbies.
Kari

jemaflor (147300) 2019-10-21 23:49

Hi Gert,
Well taken and presented this scene, original and with a spontaneous effect, good light management, interesting post, tfs.

kasianowak (17676) 2019-10-22 5:26

Hi Gert

Priceless photo from time and place that doesn't really exist anymore. At least not in this form.
Is it possible that they were washing the sheep before shearing it??

You know that Syria is on my list,together with Mali and Yemen. But when/if I visit they won't be the same countries so thank you for sharing this.

Best wishes
Kasia

mcmtanyel (68707) 2019-10-22 20:35

Hello Gert,
An interesting photo from the lives of these young men. I assume the sheep smelled like roses and looked ivory white for a few minutes after the washing. 👍🏻👍🏻
Regards,
MT

Ilonka1974 (10307) 2019-10-24 12:48

Hi Gert,
Great photo and very interesting subject.
Excellent and perfect capture. Well done.
Best regards
Janusz

macjake (98486) 2019-10-24 22:33

Hi Gert
wonderful long note, I read the entire thing. Lets hope they did evacuate the museum pieces and they're safe somewhere.
Sadly, it will probably take decades for these cities to recover...but they will. and I doubt the boys were washing the animal because it smelt bad haha...I get the feeling that wouldn't be important, its not like they're going to let the animal sit in their home :) but who knows. excellent capture of this daily life event, and the long note regarding your diary. cheers
Craig

jean113 (27899) 2019-10-25 13:47

Hello Gert, a long and very interesting note; I always enjoy reading what you have to say.
The lone sheep looks a little out of place in this street, it must have been wondering as to what was happening! The boys are certainly making a thorough job of washing it.
They appear to be outside a metalwork shop.
The boys must have known that you were taking this picture. They seem to be enjoying their task.
Thanks for sharing, regards, Jean.

adramad (73030) 2019-10-26 9:46

Hi Gert.
A magnificent scene from day to day, when life normally passed in this city, a curious scene of the boy, possibly helping his father to lift that sheep in the middle of the street.
A fantastic photo, with natural colors, good lighting and sharpness.
Well done I love.
Enjoy the weekend.
Very best regards.
Luis.

gervaso (28177) 2019-10-27 13:48

Hello, Gert!

Really a curious scene you found on the street, and this is what this man on the right must think too! Everything must look completely different there after this terrible war... Great memories from this trip! Beautiful image!

emka (158204) 2019-10-31 22:25

Hello Gert,
I missed some of your pictures during my trip. Rather amusing photo of washing the sheep. Quite an unusual scene from Aleppo.
as always, a very interesting note. As someone who likes to see everything, I would be interested in all - the Umayyad mosque that was severely damaged during the war and the museum. Your note reminds me of my visit to Palmyra. I also find the museum fascinating and as I have read, many priceless items are now lost.

Kind regards MAlgo

maloutim (13617) 2019-12-15 2:01

Hi Gert,
This is a very valuable post, even if you are sorry you didn't take more pictures of that city 24 years ago.
Lovely capture of the two boys washing the sheep ! Funny, it seems to be happy with it as well ! The red jumper lifts up the photo !
As for the note, I read it through and through, and I think it's worth knowing about all this past that might have been wiped out.
TFS and kindest regards.
Marie-Louise.

cornejo (61504) 2020-01-09 11:18

Hi Gert, very nice picture of this nice scene of everyday life, very well captured in this interesting image, with good sharpness, light, color and quality. A great job perfectly done, my congratulations my friend. Thank you for sharing this interesting work.

Good night and happy weekend.
All the best from southern Spain.
Angel.