As Saudi Arabia celebrates the year of the camel, Vogue Arabia sees the national animal of the kingdom grace its cover this month. Below, we share six interesting facts you may not know about the Arabian camel.
Photo: Saudi Ministry of Culture
Each year, The Ministry of Culture in Saudi Arabia celebrates distinct factors that are culturally significant to the Kingdom in order to spotlight the nation’s cultural nuances. In that light, 2024 was announced to be the Year of the Camel. The Minister of Culture, Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud stated, “In 2024, we celebrate the camel as a highly valued cultural symbol, a key pillar of our authentic national identity, and a source of pride in every stage and domain. Naming 2024 ‘The Year of the Camel’ comes as part of national efforts to foster the camel and industries related to it from a developmental and economic perspective.”
Camels have been a part of Arab culture and history for decades, serving as the main source of transportation for inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula, making them crucially significant to the people of the region. Additionally, they are also a religious emblem for Muslims, and are mentioned in the Quran for their unique characteristics and features. To celebrate their incredible contribution to the region, and their continued importance, Vogue Arabia has chosen to commemorate the occasion with its Saudi issue cover as well. Below, six things you never knew about the Arabian camel.
1. Arabian camels have only one hump
Arabian camels, also referred to as dromedaries, are known for having just one hump. Despite having one less hump than the Bactrian camel, Arabian camels can weight up to 725kg, and can store up to 36kg of fat. This stored fat can then be broken down into energy and water when nourishment is unavailable. A healthy Arabian camel can go weeks without eating or drinking anything, living off the nutrients stored in its solitary hump.
2. The “ship of the desert” rarely sweats
Often referred to as the “ship of the desert,” Arabian camels can travel up to 100 miles in the desert without sweating much. They are far better equipped to brave the scorching heat than us — as the fat stored in their hump allows better thermoregulation and the ability to regulate body temperature continually, rising during the day to combat the heat and vice versa in the evening.
3. They have three eyelids and two sets of eyelashes
To deal with the harsh conditions of the desert and its regular sandstorms, Arabian camels are equipped with not one or two, but three sets of eyelids, along with two sets of eyelashes to protect their eyes. Additionally, they can also completely block off their noses during sandstorms without any lasting effects.
4. Arabian camels were domesticated as early as the 4th millenium BC
Camels have been an integral part of Arab culture and Islamic history for years. They served as a key mode of transportation, and accompanied several key figures and Prophets during their time, thanks to their ability to carry up close to 400kg and travel 25 miles a day. Although no longer required for transportation by the masses, they still help Bedouin communities travel, and usually roam in groups.
5. There are over 100 words in Arabic for ‘camel’
The importance of the animal in Arab history is further evident through the many terms used to refer to the camel. There are over 100 words in the Arabic language for the animal, varying in dialects and differentiated based on gender, appearance, characteristics, temperament, function, along with their drinking behaviors, breed, and height among many other factors.
6. Many camels are raised specifically for races
Camel racing is widely acclaimed in the Kingdom, rooted deeply into the culture and history of the region — and the sport is still going strong today. To continue the legacy of the sport some camels are bred for the races, they can travel up to 40 miles per hour.
