The Road to Juniper is a physical and metaphorical journey through Asir, where lives in transition are united through an enduring connection to a rugged region. The journey unfolded along two paths: the first set out from the Red Sea in Al Birk, travelling by car to Al Soudah mountains; the second, on foot, descended through juniper forests to Rijal Almaa. Along the road, I encountered fishermen, roadside sellers, and farmers living amid striking contrasts in temperatures, landscapes, and ecosystems that mirror the diversity of the Banu Asir tribes, whose dialects, customs, and traditions reflect their deep roots in this land.

A deep interdependence with the land is carried into traditional Asiri houses, which are built with local materials such as stone, wood, and clay. Juniper wood, valued for its strength and durability, is central to this architecture, serving as both protector and foundation. Stories, medicinal uses, and cultural practices drew my attention to the juniper tree, but it was the spaces of silence in their forests that inspired this project. In Al Soudah mountains, I spent most of my time contemplating that silence, photographing the ancient trees shrouded in fog, their branches draped with lichen resembling giant spider webs. The stillness and fog created an otherworldly atmosphere, something akin to a divine presence. On my last day, I came across scattered bones—perhaps a camel’s last remains. Marking the end of my journey, it was a stark reminder of the rugged Asiri landscape’s cycles of life.