IN STEREO

Since a long time ago – more than one grandparents’ [generation ago]: two, three, or more – because it's mountainous, around every ten metres they built a terrace. This area becomes flat, so you can grow on it. This area here is mostly green. It needs daily care. There are channels: the principle one [made of] concrete and the second [of] earth. It depends on the level; you follow the level. If I want to shift [water] from one level to another, it comes down to the level of the land. But it doesn’t come down strong, because this sweeps the soil. It flows bit by bit, slowly. The land that’s under the pond, I water it either from the spring, or from the pond. But the one above [the pond], how can I water it? I can water it only from the spring area. This is why during the day, the water descending from the spring is distributed by hour. Previously, before people had watches on their wrists – seventy years ago or something like this – the water coming down from the spring was distributed according to shadow. I mean, [when] shadow arrived at a certain area, the proportion ended. Spaces aren’t large, but productive. You find a piece of land is around 100 square metres. There is a production possibility if you use it properly. It makes up my family’s food basket. I mean, there are ten varieties of vegetables planted in it. I go down with the basket [and] I find zucchini, I find cucumber, I find eggplants, I find mint, I find parsley, jute, onions. The main crop in Battir is eggplants. They even call it ‘the Battiri’. Everything that comes to your mind, we plant it. Seasonal vegetables: in winter something, and in summer something else. The family eats from this [and] maybe with the surplus you feed your neighbours, your friends. – Abu Wisam