UNESCO-inscribed Alheda'a: Enduring bond between Arabs and camels

Camels hold a unique place in Arab society and even more so in the Saudi society

Published: June 29, 2024 21:07 Compiled by Christian Borbon, Senior Web Editor with inputs from SPA

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Camels have been a cornerstone of life in the Arabian Peninsula for millennia. Beyond serving as beasts of burden, they are symbols of wealth, generosity, and travel. Image Credit: X / SPA

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Over time, camels became deeply woven into the region's heritage. This profound connection gave rise to a beautiful folk art called "Alheda'a," which has been passed down through generations in Arabian societies. Alheda'a is an oral tradition where herders use a combination of sounds, gestures, and sometimes musical instruments to communicate with their camels. Image Credit: X / SPA

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Camel herders use rhythmic expressions, inspired by poetry, to create a vocabulary their camels understand. Image Credit: X / SPA

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Herders utilize Alheda'a, a unique vocabulary of rhythmic expressions, to guide their camels through the desert, locate grazing grounds, and prepare them for watering, milking, and riding. Image Credit: X / SPA

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Alheda'a does not adhere to a single melody. It adapts to the environment, with its poignant words resonating with the camels. The meanings are woven into the fabric of the herders' daily lives. Image Credit: X / SPA

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Inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2022, Alheda'a has various applications, with chants for departure, travel, watering, gathering, and even for camels drawing water from wells, to encourage them. Image Credit: X / SPA

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