Introduction
The Bedouin are nomadic people who live in desert regions in different parts of North Africa, Iraq, the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, and the Middle East. Although there are several tribes forming this cultural group, scholars have acknowledged that they all share similar practices and traditions, including herding goats and camels. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), members of this cultural group gather together to promote their traditions. Some of the common ones include sword dances, tent knitting, and desert camping. They also engage in camel riding ceremonies. The purpose of this research paper is to give a detailed analysis of the Bedouin people in the United Arab Emirates and how they use camels to achieve their personal, societal, and economic objectives.
Background Information
The word “Bedouin” originated from the Arabic term badawī and many people use it to refer to a desert dweller. The sedentary nature of the Bedouin people explains why they inhabit different territories in Africa and Asia. One of the outstanding features scholars use to identify these cultural groups is the practice of herding goats and camels. They scarcity of grass and water in deserts explains why they have led a sedentary lifestyle for many centuries. Faye (2016) also acknowledges that majority of the Bedouin are Muslim believers since it is the common religion in the region. Within the past ten centuries, historians and archaeologists have applied different names to identify and describe the Bedouin, such as Arabaa and Qedarites.
Due to the influences of civilization, globalization, and urbanization, many Bedouins have been abandoning their traditions and nomadic lifestyles. This means that some of them have been focusing on new sources of livelihood, including the search for jobs or entrepreneurial activities. However, members of this culture have managed to retain most of their practices, rituals, and ceremonies. For instance, Tesorero (2019) indicates that urbanized Bedouin still engage in traditional dances, recite poems, and offer sacrifices. They also organize different festivals depending on the season or time of the year (Zacharias, 2017). It is also evident that many individuals still prefer to live near wilderness regions or deserts in order to continue engaging in such cultural practices.
The Role of Camels among the UAE Bedouin People
The nomadic nature of the Bedouin people explains why they inhabit different regions across the Middle East. The latest statistics indicate that this country has around 180,000 Bedouin (Harin, 2017). Majority of them are from these three tribes: Baqqarah, Rwala, and Dhafir. Although some of them engage in a wide range of modern economic activities, there are those who lead nomadic lifestyles. These are the ones who live near deserts. Other members of this cultural group have embraced different farming styles or methods. Tesorero (2019) indicates that these developments and changes have not discouraged the Bedouin from herding goats and camels.
Traditionally, the Bedouin used to herd livestock in order to support their cultural practices and livelihoods. As described earlier, the commonest animals have included camels and goats. These were used primarily for dairy products (Faye, 2016). This fact explains why the staple foods for members of this cultural group in the UAE included animal-based products. Despite the developments and changes informed by the forces of globalization and urbanization, camels still continue to play a significant role in the life of every Bedouin in the UAE.
The first outstanding one is that camels still provide meat to members of this group. For many centuries, the Bedouins have acknowledged that such animals are God-given. This means that they should take good care of them if they are to fulfill their demands and make it easier for them to achieve their potential (Zacharias, 2017). Those living in or near deserts raise such animals as a major source of meat for various celebrations. Similarly, camels are still common among urban dwellers in the UAE since they treat them as an integral part of their culture.
Milk remains a favorite product that the Bedouin people have consumed for centuries. The two animals known to product it include goats and camel. This observation explains why members of this cultural group appreciate them. The UAE Bedouin people raise and take good care of camels in an attempt to get adequate dairy products, including milk (As’eed & Shorab, 2011). Those who have many animals get adequate milk that can be sold to different firms and consumers across the region, thereby becoming a good or stable source of income. This argument explains why camel rearing remains one the best economic activities many Bedouin people take seriously in the UAE. Radan (2018) believes that camels have always been the best sources of milk in these harsh environments since they can withstand high temperatures and prolonged droughts while at the same time producing adequate quantities. This means that the camel remains one of the most successful desert animals in the world today.
Transport in desert regions can be something challenging for many inhabitants. Camels are essential since members of this group use them to move from one place to another. Such animals are cheap and convenient. They are inexpensive and any person can guide them, including men, the elderly, and women (Radan, 2018). The use of camels makes it easier for members of this culture to overcome the harsh conditions associated with desert environments. Such animals can also move for many kilometers without getting tired. Bedouin consider camels whenever planning to transport their belonging or heavy items (As’eed & Shorab, 2011). These aspects explain why these domesticated animals form an important part of the lives of these individuals.
The above section has indicated that many Bedouin people engage in different festivals, celebrations, and rituals. Over the centuries, they have been using camels and other animals to ensure that such events are meaningful and successful. According to Harin (2017), the Bedouins tend to have occasional religious occasions whereby the use camels for transportation. They also involve them in such practices since they believe that they are presents from Allah. They also organize communal celebratory events, including camel riding and mountain climbing. Such activities can be recreational or religious in nature depending on the targeted period. This is a clear indication that camels will continue to form an integral part of the lives of the Bedouin people in the UAE.
Bedouins have embraced the idea of traditional healing and medical practices for many years. Faye (2016) believes that those living in the UAE use animals to look for herbs and other plants for treating various conditions. This means that they can ride camels for long distances in search of the most appropriate materials. Additionally, yoghurt made from camel milk is believed to have special medicinal abilities. Those suffering from various complications can drink it in an attempt to record positive health outcomes (Harin, 2017). This is a common practice that members of this cultural group living in the UAE have embraced for many decades.
The Bedouin believe that camels form an integral part of their cultural heritage. This is a tradition that has been passed across from one generation to the next. Zacharias (2017) indicates that many individuals tend to be proud of the total number of animals they possess, such as camels. They are also used for dowry payment in accordance with the traditions of the UAE Bedouin. Since these individuals follow the Islamic religion, Bedouins can give camels to those in need in accordance with the Islamic faith. Due to these ideas and expectations, the number of camels in the UAE is above 220,000 (Radan, 2018). Members of this cultural group will continue to herd them since they form an integral part of their culture and make it easier for them to achieve their goals in life.
Conclusion
The above discussion has indicated that the Bedouin people have inhabited different parts of Asia and North Africa for many centuries. Due to the harsh conditions associated with these regions, members of this culture practiced sedentary and nomadic lifestyles in search of water and pasture. The successful nature of the camel makes it the best choice that meets the needs of this cultural group. Consequently, such animals are used as sources of dairy products, medicinal yoghurt, and transportation. The Bedouin of the UAE also find camels useful for different traditional, cultural, and religious events.
References
As’eed, M. T., & Shorab, Y. M. (2011). Emirates society: Originality & modernity. Hawalli, KW: Al-Falah Books.
Faye, B. (2016). The camel, new challenges for a sustainable development. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 48(4), 689-692. Web.
Harin, J. (2017). A brief history of the UAE’s Bedouin people. Culture Trip. Web.
Radan, S. (2018). Inside the UAE’s camel beauty contests. Friday Magazine. Web.
Tesorero, A. (2019). 10 to live Bedouin life on 2-week camel trek.Khaleej Times. Web.
Zacharias, A. (2017). Celebration of beauty and all things Bedouin. The National. Web.