The Ship of the Desert – Part I

When all is not well with the world it is time to take stock. Compare life to driving a car. It is not just your eyes that give a cursory glance at the rear view mirror, but all your senses are alert and aware of the movement on the road, the dangers that confront you and the dividend it pays to be careful, cautious and in control. An animal which is built to be in control is the camel.

Author and photographer, Peter Hellyer, goes back in time to trace the history of the United Arab Emirates. The first military commander who utilised the camel as a fighting element was Napoleon Bonaparte. He realised the camel was superior to the horse in its ability to endure the harsh desert environment. In 1757, the British used camels in their fighting forces in battles in India and Afghanistan. In 1839, the camel was taken to North America by a U.S. Marine officer, Edward Bill, who led an exploratory trade route expedition of covered wagons from Fort Apache, Arizona, to the Colorado River at the California border. Bill’s expedition was famous because it was made by the first camels to inhabit the American desert since prehistoric times. In 1843, the camel was introduced to Australia where it still exists in large numbers.

The camel exists in varying numbers in all parts of the Arab world. Camels are also found in the western area of the Ganges River in India, as well as Pakistan, southern Iran and Turkey. Camels have been the most prevailing domestic animal in the Arab world, and an important element of life in the U.A.E.

A 7,000 year old camel fossil drawing was recently discovered on Umm Al Nar island near Abu Dhabi. With its countless and remarkable characteristics, the “Ship of the Desert” as the camel is affectionately called, has gained great respect among the Arab people. The faithful friend has lived with them, carrying people and loads between remote desert areas that no man-made vehicle could have ever reached.

The camel gave the Bedouins pure milk, which fed everyone. Its services varied in times of peace and war. Desert tribes also depended on camels more than they did any other animal. The camel has been an integral part of desert life and survival. And the close relationship between an Arab and his camel has been embodied in many popular stories, legends, poems and songs.

In addition to transportation, the camel has provided the people of the U.A.E. with many staples, including meat, milk and wool. Six specialised references confirm that the types of camels found in the U.A.E., along the Arabian Gulf coast, and in Oman are some of the world’s best breeds. They include Al Wara, Dhabyan, Soghan, Momaiter, Al Osafer, Samhoon, Dheeban and Mosaihan. These breeds still may be found across the country. And although they have cross-bred with other breeds, they have maintained their pedigree.

Other racing camel breeds include Al Wariya, Bint Dhabyan, Al Khamriyah, Touq, Mehna, Al Shatotiya, Al Shamtiya, Alia, Laghzaila, Al Tayyara, Al Mesk, Elhke, Zaafarana. In case of extreme thirst, the camel can lose 25% of its body weight without being affected. It can restore the lost weight within 10 minutes after drinking 25 gallons of water. The Arabian camel has many characteristics:

• The camel can run as fast as 16 kilometres/hour for a short period. In an ordinary walk, its speed is around 7 kilometres/hour for 10 hours a day. It can continue at this pace for even longer if water is available.
• The camel can carry up to 100 kilogrammes of cargo.
• The camel’s body temperature can change ±4°C, depending on the environment.
• The camel has sharp vision and hearing, as well as a strong sense of smell. It can sense water from nearly three kilometres away.
• The camel’s eye is large and projecting protected by lids and surrounded by two layers of long lashes to protect it from the sun and sand.
• The camel’s respiratory openings are long and can open and close easily. They are full of hair. The camel has control of the openings by closing them during sand storms.
• The camel’s internal ear is full of hair, which protects it from sand.
• The camel’s huge frame is reflected in its height and length. Laterally, the body is narrow. A camel turns its head towards the sun to reduce heat and light exposure and to maintain body temperature.

The camel feeds on grass, as well as the leaves of desert trees. Its split lip also helps it to eat tree branches. Breeders in the U.A.E. feed their camels clover, barley and crop leftovers. Racing camels are placed on a well-balanced feeding programme that incorporates all basic nutrients while also monitoring body fat intake.

Breeders say a camel’s breakfast (Al Mudaha) consists of half a bundle of clover, while its dinner (Al Moasha) consists of three kilogrammes of barley, half a bundle of clover, together with milk and dates. They also are given cow’s milk since it is easier to digest. A camel usually enters a race while fasting. Successful breeders monitor camel feedings.

The U.A.E. now has special plants that prepare camel feed. The mixture process is broken down into four stages, to ensure cleanliness and purity:

The mixture (for the feed) consists of barley, oats, “saboos”, corn, soybeans, vitamins and honey. These ingredients are added in certain ratios and kept in special bags. To maintain strict quality control, a mixture sample is sent to a plant laboratory where it is analysed and tested before being distributed to stables across the U.A.E.