For generations of Palestinian farmers, the June harvest was a sacred time of community, folklore, and relief from the winter’s anxieties. But in recent years, a systematic campaign of arson and violence by Israeli terrorist settlers has turned Palestine’s historic wheat fields and threshing floors from spaces of celebratory feasts into dangerous frontlines of popular resistance.

From our fields in the village of Qira, the struggle to reap what we sow has become an urgent testament to our unyielding steadfastness on our ancestors’ land.

June: the month of wheat harvest

Historically, Palestinians named June “Iqlaash” after the “Qaloosha” (sickle). This directly reflects the primary work of the month: the wheat harvest and the threshing floor (Baydar) operations, which represent—alongside the olive harvest—the most critical agricultural seasons in Palestine. The Baydar symbolized the end of winter scarcity and the beginning of abundance. Blessings were sought, weddings were postponed until the yield could cover expenses, and the community united through “Al-Ouna”—a system of communal volunteerism to complete the heavy labor swiftly. Even the vulnerable were cared for; portions known as “Al-Luqat” (gleanings) were left in field corners so those in need could gather them with dignity.

Harvesting Rituals: The Joyous Summer Wedding

The harvest timeline follows strict cues: drying legumes in late April, barley in mid-May, and wheat in June. The decision to reap relies on astronomical signs like “the rising of the Pleiades” (Tulou’ Al-Thurayya), bringing the intense heatwaves that fully harden the grain (Al-Jumadi), protecting it from pests during long storage.

The harvest timeline follows strict cues: drying legumes in late April, barley in mid-May, and wheat in June. The decision to reap relies on astronomical signs like “the rising of the Pleiades” (Tulou’ Al-Thurayya), bringing the intense heatwaves that fully harden the grain (Al-Jumadi), protecting it from pests during long storage.

Labor begins at the crack of dawn while the morning dew still softens the fragile stalks, preventing them from snapping. With the Talqa—an opening........

© Middle East Monitor