Somaliland Frankincense Industry Threatened by High Demand

A man holds a chunk of prized maydi, the most expensive frankincense resin, in Mader Moge, Somaliland, Aug. 4, 2016. (J.Patinkin/VOA)

The Daalo escarpment of the Cal Madow Mountains rises 8,000 feet above the Gulf of Aden, and in its canyons grow the frankincense forests, Aug. 4, 2016. (J.Patinkin/VOA)

A frankincense harvester balances in a tree perched on a canyon wall near the village of Gudmo, Somaliland, Aug. 3, 2016. (J.Patinkin/VOA)

A frankincense harvester balances in a tree perched on a canyon wall near the village of Gudmo, Somaliland, Aug. 3, 2016. (J.Patinkin/VOA)

Mohamed Ahmed Ali wounds a frankincense tree near Mader Moge, Somaliland, Aug. 4, 2016. He says his family has been harvesting frankincense for more than 100 years. (J.Patinkin/VOA)

Frankincense resin seeps out of a frankincense tree near the village of Mader Moge, Aug. 4, 2016. (J.Patinkin/VOA)

A basket of dried frankincense resin is ready for sorting in Erigavo, Somaliland, Aug. 3, 2016. (J.Patinkin/VOA)

Women sort raw frankincense gum in Burao, Somaliland, Aug. 6, 2016. The men harvest the sap, a dangerous job, and the women prepare the gum for export. (J.Patinkin/VOA)

Luul Sait Chama sorts different types of frankincense gum in Erigavo, Somaliland, Aug. 3, 2016. (J.Patinkin/VOA)

A woman sorts pieces of dried frankincense gum in Erigavo, Somaliland, Aug. 3, 2016. (J.Patinkin/VOA)

A frankincense trader holds up a tear of prized maydi, the most expensive frankincense resin, near the village of Gudmo, Somaliland, Aug. 2, 2016. (J.Patinkin/VOA)