The Yemeni Akhdam: Living in the margins of society

In the late sunny afternoon, the neighborhood was very busy with children playing and chasing each other. At a local dusty soccer pitch, while two young teams were engaged in a passionate match, three black children standing at the end of the field were neither supporting nor participating with the game. Rather, their eyes followed the ball’s movements.

Passing by the field, a tall, heavy built man intervened between the two teams and, while smiling, suggested that the three Akhdam children be part of the team. "You and I will keep goal," one Akhdam child said excitedly. "I'll be the referee," the other added. The children then resumed play along with the three Akhdam children as they respectfully approved of the proposal from the new players.

 Black people in Yemen are widely known as “al-Akhdam” – the servants. Many can be seen daily, sweeping streets all across Yemen.

 There is a strong undercurrent of contempt for Akhdam among Yemeni’s in general. Because of this general separation of the classes, one may wonder who the passerby was, and why he would do such an act.

The man was not a foreigner, as one may be tempted to imagine upon first thought. Rather, it was Rami Othman Rajeh, 25, a Yemeni citizen originally from Taiz, who currently works at a local bank. Rajeh has a strong sense of compassion and has long been in touch with the Akhdam, as he settled in al-Haddah area ten years ago.

 After several hours with Rajeh in his house, the passion and fire he possesses is clearly evident. Not only does he carry the deepest sympathy for the Akhdam, but he also demonstrates a fondness of their culture that is recognized by many.

 Be they stories of daily life or of special occasions, Rajeh has collected a multitude of interesting and uplifting anecdotes along his path.

Traveling with Rajeh to the qat market would amaze even the most stoic of observers. Along the way Rajeh met many of his friends with warmth and compassion and genuine friendship evident between all. A road sweeper, working hard on the sidewalk, hugged Rajeh tightly when he saw him approaching.

Those gathering around a particular car, half of whom washing the car and the others begging for money, all rushed toward Rajeh, exchanged greetings and went back again to another line of parked cars. Rajeh's heart was even big enough to accommodate another group of young Akhdam children who were grasping at Rajeh’s left pocket, which is always full of home made cake destined specifically for them.

  The extent to which society has mercy on the Akhdam varies from one person to another.

“Besides being repugnant because of their filthy look, they are thieves,” said Muhammad Iskandar, a local police officer.

 Other people said that they don't like them simply due to the nature of their work; they spend most of their time in sanitation works or in the streets sweeping. Most of them do not complete their education, while a few, considered to be quite diligent, will make it as far as the seventh grade.

Consequently, large portions of Yemenis tend to evade associating with them except when necessary.

But there are other Yemenies who think that arguments against the Akhdam are not built upon a solid foundation. Rajeh's response to such stereotyping shed light on some of the irrational reasons that people give to marginalize the Akhdam.

“Many people tend to cover their veiled discrimination by giving unreasonable arguments. However, they are discriminating nonetheless,” said Rajeh, adding that the few cases of thievery the Akhdam are involved in are out of necessity, compared to the inordinate acts of robbery by others whose behavior “can't or mustn't be disapproved of.”

He additionally pointed out that when they labor daily to perform the duties of their honorable jobs, Yemenis unjustly labeled them as dirty people.

 Rajeh has developed several practical solutions to assist in the integration of the Akhdam into society.

Firstly, he thinks that everyone in Yemen shares the responsibility to raise awareness among people and among the growing generation. He suggested that “families should no longer belittle them; schools, through curricula, should admire whomever serves their country, no matter the circumstances; media could present a citations acknowledging the difficult and dedicated efforts these people undertake.

Likewise, mosque preachers, instead of their unhealthy obsession with collecting money, must give even a little attention to the Akhdam.

“They must remind us of Belal as well as the sayings of the Prophet, where he said that all people are equal,” he determined.

Finally, he said, the government must legislate and promote proper behavior, seek for the elimination of stereotyping and encourage education at all levels.

The Akhdam are believed to have Ethiopian army origins, and are thought to have crossed the Red Sea before the arrival of Islam.

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