Pomegranate trees planted on thousands of acres of land shape life in Susa not only with their appearance but also with their yield. After ISIS took control of Deir ez-Zor, the city's economy based on pomegranate was greatly affected by this occupation; the pomegranate trees were burned and cut down. After the town was liberated from ISIS, Arab women planted pomegranate trees and they have harvested pomegranate fruits these days.

ZEYNEB XELÎF

Deir ez-Zor- What women offer to soils and what soils offer women determine how life is being built. While pomegranate cultivation plays a decisive role in shaping daily life in the town of Sûsa, Deir ez-Zor, women take the lead in the cultivation and harvest of pomegranates. Most people living in the town have already begun to harvest pomegranate fruits; they have also made pomegranate syrup and juice to consume in winter. Sûsa town of Deir ez-Zor is well known for its pomegranate orchards. Arab women of Sûsa have worked hard to harvest pomegranate fruits these days.

“I am happy to work”

40-year-old Eatîdal Adil El-Îsa has spent her life in pomegranate orchards.  “We earn our living by growing and selling pomegranates. The pomegranate orchards make us peaceful,” she said, adding that she is happy to work in the pomegranate orchards that shape her life. Eatîdal Adil El-Îsa classifies the pomegranates according to their sizes, “We had to irrigate our orchards every 15 days due to the water shortage.”

“ISIS burned down the trees”

Noting that if they care for their orchards, they increase yields, Eatîdal Adil El-Îsa said, “You have to be patient to care of pomegranate orchards. The number of pomegranate trees is low now because ISIS burned and cut down many trees.” After harvesting pomegranate fruits, Eatîdal Adil El-Îsa makes pomegranate syrup and juice to consume in winter.”

“You should drink pomegranate juice to avoid diseases”

“After picking pomegranate fruits, we make pomegranate juice. We don’t use any machine but our hands to make it. Some people add sugar because of its sour taste but we never add sugar. You should drink pomegranate juice to avoid diseases in winter.”