THE LAST SAMARITANS 

The Samaritans are a religious and ethnic group who are considered to be descendents of the twelve tribes from Israel. The Samaritans' current population is 750 (the majority of whom are men), separated by its sacred Mount Gerizim near to the city of Nablus, Palestine and Holon near to Tel Aviv. During the course of history, there have been many reasons why the Samaritan community has continued to reduce to such a degree that at the start of the 20th century they were on the edge of extinction. They are currently fighting for survival and to maintain their old traditions. A clear example of this is the celebration of Yom Kippur where all the community meet at the foothills of the sacred Mount Gerizim to pray at the sinagogue including 24 hours of prayers, fasting and a ban on the use of modern technology. The men pray and the women help. This celebration, known as the day of pardon and repentance, starts at 7 pm and concludes at 7 pm the following day. After finishing the day and returning to daily life, the Samaritans adorn their houses with a type of cottage decorated with fruit and multi-coloured lights. It is called Sucá.

THE LAST SAMARITANS - One of the Samaritan priests waiting at his house. In a...
One of the Samaritan priests waiting at his house. In a few minutes he will... READ ON
THE LAST SAMARITANS - Mount Gerizim, is one of the two mountains in the...
Mount Gerizim, is one of the two mountains in the immediate vicinity of the... READ ON
THE LAST SAMARITANS - Before the beginning of Yom Kippur day at the...
Before the beginning of Yom Kippur day at the Synagogue, the main street is full of people.
THE LAST SAMARITANS - Children playing in the street before going to the...
Children playing in the street before going to the synagogue to pray.
THE LAST SAMARITANS - A child reading the Samaritan Torah while an adult prays...
A child reading the Samaritan Torah while an adult prays inside the synagogue.
THE LAST SAMARITANS - Samaritans inside the sinagogue.
Samaritans inside the sinagogue.
THE LAST SAMARITANS - A boy runs to the synagogue, the Yom Kippur festivity...
A boy runs to the synagogue, the Yom Kippur festivity begins...
THE LAST SAMARITANS - On Yom Kippur the entrance to the synagogue is...
On Yom Kippur the entrance to the synagogue is decorated with colored lights.  
THE LAST SAMARITANS - A woman inside the synagogue.
A woman inside the synagogue.
THE LAST SAMARITANS - Abood Cohen, young Samaritan editing a documentary...
Abood Cohen, young Samaritan editing a documentary video about the... READ ON
THE LAST SAMARITANS - Abood Cohen, praying at home before going to the...
Abood Cohen, praying at home before going to the synagogue.
THE LAST SAMARITANS - A man walking towards the synagogue.
A man walking towards the synagogue.
THE LAST SAMARITANS - A woman with her daughter inside the synagogue.
A woman with her daughter inside the synagogue.
THE LAST SAMARITANS - The main Samaritan priest and his wife at home.
The main Samaritan priest and his wife at home.
THE LAST SAMARITANS - Typical door of Samaritan house.
Typical door of Samaritan house.
THE LAST SAMARITANS - A child waiting for his mother in the middle of the...
A child waiting for his mother in the middle of the road.
THE LAST SAMARITANS - Yom Kippur day is finishing.   Two girls with...
Yom Kippur day is finishing.   Two girls with candies in their... READ ON
THE LAST SAMARITANS - After Yom Kippur day, the Samaritans adorn their houses...
After Yom Kippur day, the Samaritans adorn their houses wit a type of... READ ON
THE LAST SAMARITANS - Samaritan Sucá.
Samaritan Sucá.
THE LAST SAMARITANS -  Views of Nablus city from Kiryat Luza, Samaritan...
 Views of Nablus city from Kiryat Luza, Samaritan small village.

Ura Iturralde photographer

A basque female photographer dedicated to investigate minorities around the world
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