IN PICTURES: The Flower Men of Saudi Arabia

The ornate garlands are made from herbs and flowers growing wild in the foothills of the mountains (Eric Lafforgue)

Some wear herbs in the hope of dealing with a headache (Eric Lafforgue)

The Habala Mountains taken from Rijal Alma reveals just how remote the flower men's home is (Eric Lafforgue)

The tribe live in much the same way as their ancestors did. They have lived in the Habala Mountains for more than 2,000 years (Eric Lafforgue)

Garlands made exclusively for medicinal purposes, such as the one this man is wearing, are less pretty and stuffed with herbs (Eric Lafforgue)

The men go into the foothills of the Habala Mountains every morning in search of fresh herbs for their garlands (Eric Lafforgue)

Many carry Jambiyas, ceremonial curved daggers with handles made of ivory (Eric Lafforgue)

The houses in Rijal Alma were decorated with elaborate chequered patterns while nearly all had balconies (Eric Lafforgue)

The streets of Rijal Alma, a village visited by Lafforgue, were decorated with bright graphic patterns in red, blue and green (Eric Lafforgue)

The people of Rijal Alma have been forced to fight for their land, many of the homes look more like fortified castles (Eric Lafforgue)

Not all of the men wear flower garlands, however. Some, such as this man choose simple scarves instead (Eric Lafforgue)

This garland is made from woven marigold heads, although most are made using fragrant wild jasmine and basil (Eric Lafforgue)

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