Socotra: The island of Dragon’s Blood
Have you heard of the North Sentinel Island, the Indian archipelago that is located in the Bay of Bengal and is part of the Andaman and Nicobar group of islands? If yes, you would also recollect that the island is extremely remote and prohibited for visitors. Well, North Sentinel is not the only exotic island in the world. In fact, not that far from it is another chain of islands in the Arabian Sea called the Socotra Islands, that too is totally disconnected to the rest of the world. Guess what! Socotra is deemed as the ‘world’s most alien island’. Fascinating, isn’t it? Well, while we still have your attention, let’s get directly to it.
Okay, where exactly are the Socotra Islands?
Socotra is made up of not one but four islands (namely Socotra itself, Samha, Darsa and Abd Al-Kuri) located in between the Guardafui Channel and the Arabian Sea. Here’s where it gets interesting: while geographically, it is located at the easternmost corner of the African continent, politically, it is part of Yemen in Asia. More specifically, it is 210 miles southeast of the nation’s mainland. Interestingly, the name ‘Socotra’ has been derived from the Sanskrit phrase ‘dvipa-sakhadara’ that literally translates to ‘island of bliss’.
The bizarre topography
Now that you know where Socotra is located, let us get straight to its appearance. But first, let us ask you something; what comes to your mind when you hear the term ‘island?’ Sandy beaches and palm trees, right? Here’s where Socotra differs from the rest. In fact, it’s like no other place on earth. Why is that? Because, its topography in a single word can be described as “bizarre.” No, we aren’t insinuating! There are of course sandy beaches, but that’s where the similarity ends. Otherwise, it looks nothing like your stereotypical islands. Rather, the landscape can remind you of the locales of the film ‘Avatar.’
Turns out, Socotra Islands are spread across 1400 square miles and comprise of huge mountains, deep valleys and limestone caves. What else? Gigantic sand dunes, desert plains that explains why the climate is both hot and arid. And above all, the islands are home to exotic flora and fauna. In fact, about one-third of Socotra’s 825 plant species are native to the islands alone and do not grow anywhere else in the world. And one of them is the famous and extremely rare Dragon’s Blood tree.
Socotra Island: The only home of the Dragon’s Blood
This UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 2008) is not only the home of the Dragon’s Blood tree, but its only habitat too. Also known as Socotra dragon tree, it looks like a giant uprightly held umbrella. In fact, this strange plant has an “upturned, densely packed crown,” giving it a stark appearance. This succulent, evergreen tree derived its name from the dark red coloured sap that exactly resembles the shade of blood. As a matter of fact, the sap is also known as “dragon’s blood.” But legends say that these so-called extra-terrestrial trees first grew on the islands, in a spot where brother duo Darsa and Samha had fought to death. Maybe that’s why in Arabic Socotra is known as ‘dam al akhawain’ or “the blood of the two brothers.”
Furthermore, this monocot (grassy) plant has unusual secondary growth, something known as the “dracoid habitus.” The leaves that are born alongside the branches shed every 3 to 4 years, before new leaves bloom simultaneously. Interestingly, the Dragon’s Blood tree also bears small fleshy berries that are known to change their colour from black to red. Experts also posit that the parts of this exotic tree have multiple medicinal applications; for instance, the root can be used as a stimulant to cure rheumatism, while the leaves have the power to treat gastrointestinal infections. But the locals, who are part of the world-famous Bedouin tribe use it as a cure-it-all.
Socotra Facts
Although the official language is Arabic, as it is part of Yemen, the 40000 people on the island prefer their own Socotri language for communication.
Here are some other fun factoids for you! For one, archaeologists have found ruins of an ancient city on the Socotra Islands and traces them back to the 2nd century B.C., while local legends have it, that the infamous ‘Garden of Eden’ from the Bible was located in Socotra.
Wait, we aren’t done yet. Besides the famous Dragon’s Blood tree, Socotra is also home to several other unique species of plants and animals, including some native species of bats, cucumbers, pomegranates, crabs, lobsters, shrimps, fishes, reef-building corals, and birds (mostly migratory), and this rich biodiversity has given the island the title of “the Galapagos of the East.”