Old Palestinian baker continues to bake traditional taboo bread against rise of modern bakeries

Palestinian baker Yousef Shaheen displays traditional Palestinian taboo bread at his bakery in the West Bank town of Salfit on July 13, 2021 (Photo: Xinhua)

Palestinian baker Yousef Shaheen bakes traditional Palestinian taboo bread at his bakery in the West Bank town of Salfit on July 13, 2021 (Photo: Xinhua)

Palestinian baker Yousef Shaheen bakes traditional Palestinian taboo bread at his bakery in the West Bank town of Salfit on July 13, 2021 (Photo: Xinhua)

Palestinian baker Yousef Shaheen bakes traditional Palestinian taboo bread at his bakery in the West Bank town of Salfit on July 13, 2021 (Photo: Xinhua)

Yousef Shaheen, a Palestinian from the West Bank town of Salfit, spends the early hours of each morning baking traditional Palestinian taboo bread in a small bakery.

The 84-year-old father of eight told Xinhua he was working to protect his business from extinction amid the boom in modern bakeries in his governorate.

“I have been doing this job in a bakery since I was little. I inherited the profession from my father and my ancestors. I have been working for over 67 years,” he said.

At the very beginning, he saw this business simply as a source of income that could keep his family afloat. But over time, his attitude changed as the new generation knew his story less and less.

In an effort to disseminate his experience, the old man traveled to various bakeries in the West Bank, where he teaches the younger generation how to make traditional Palestinian taboo bread.

“I have managed to train many bakers across the West Bank,” the old Palestinian man told Xinhua.

In addition to taboon bread, Shaheen makes various kinds of pastries stuffed with cheese, thyme and meat.

“I bake my taboo bread and pastries using healthy ingredients that would recharge our body with energy, especially when we eat it in the morning,” Shaheen said, adding that he uses olive oil and flour. of wheat in all its products.

Abdul Moneem al-Masry, the owner of the bakery where Shaheen works, told Xinhua that Shaheen has become an icon in the West Bank, not only as the fastest baker, but as a defender of traditions among the younger generations.

“Together with four other bakers, Shaheen produces hundreds of taboon breads for our entire governorate and even for the neighbors. It is truly a special taboon bread that carries the scent of our beautiful story where everyone was proud of their lives. al-Masry said.

Mahmoud al-Sabbah, a local customer, hailed the taboon bread made by Shaheen as “the most delicious bread” he has ever tasted, saying it reminded him of bread made by his late mother.

“I came here every day to buy bread and even to hear stories from our uncle (Shaheen), who told us how we can keep our story in our minds by protecting traditions from fading and encouraging our children to adopt them. in their daily life, “said the young man.