It's the start of summer in Libya and for these sheep that can mean only one thing - shearing season.

As the heat intensifies, the animals must be released from their winter coats.

But rather than being a tiring chore to be suffered, these men look forward to the event.

Generations of Bedouins have passed down a ritual for the start of the shearing season.

"These are the customs and traditions of the Bedouin people during the shearing season in the months of April and May," explains Musbah Al-Mahdi.

"Shearing is an Arabian tradition, it is a Sunnah (Muslim tradition and practice), this is a good season, thank God we are still keeping our customs and traditions."

In the coastal town of Ras Lanuf, located on the Libyan oil crescent, neighbors and friends gather for the shearing process.

The day begins with the slaughter of some sheep and after breakfast the real work begins.

"The blessing of the sheep is celebrated with mathroda, tharid, sour milk, bread, peanuts, candy, tea and sugar. People are happy, and they show it, in such a celebration like this, it's exactly like a state celebration - this is the celebration of the sheep," says sheep owner Mohamed Bunashasha.

It may be a celebration but there is still much to be done.

But to make the time go quicker, the men sing traditional songs with each other.

Young and old get involved and everyone has a job to do.

After finishing, the wool is collected and put in large bags to be sold.

The sheep are finally released to be fed and the men can reflect on the day.

"This flock is a livelihood, thank God," says Al-Mahdi.

"Thankfully we continue despite the lack of rain and the frequent drought and the condition of feed, expensive cost of feeding and lack of shepherds, and these are all obstacles for the owner and breeders."

But at the end of a long day's work, these men don't want to think about the obstacles.

They share stories and play games, just as their fathers and grandfathers have done before them.