Photos: Camel herding in Western Sahara a passion with pedigree

The animals roam free in the desert and are milked as by hand, at dawn and dusk

Last updated: November 21, 2019 | 12:08

AFP and Compiled by Christian Borbon, Digital Content Producer

2 MIN READ

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In the Oued Eddahab desert in Western Sahara, Habiboullah Dlimi raises dairy and racing camels just like his ancestors used to - but with a little help from modern technology.

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Dlimi comes from a long line of desert dwellers from the Ouled Dlimi tribe.

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When camels "feed on wild plants and walk all day, the milk is much better," said the 59-year-old herder, rhapsodising about the benefits of the nutrient-rich drink, known as the "source of life" for nomads.

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His animals roam free in the desert and are milked as camels always have been, by hand, at dawn and dusk.

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But Dlimi no longer lives with his flock.

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He lives in town with his family. His camels are watched over by hired herders and Dlimi follows GPS coordinates across the desert in a 4X4 vehicle to reach them.

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A camel herder provides his animals with water, in the desert near Dakhla in Morocco-administered Western Sahara.

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He prefers to speak of the gentleness and friendliness of the animals he knows like his own children.

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"Camels can endure everything: sun, wind, sand and lack of water, and if they could talk, you'd easily hear how intelligent they are," he said.

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A camel calf is seen among a herd in the desert near Dakhla in Morocco-administered Western Sahara.

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Camels are silhouetted at dusk in the desert near Dakhla in Morocco-administered Western Sahara.

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A camel cow and its calf are seen in the desert near Dakhla in Morocco-administered Western Sahara.

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A camel herder warms up next to a fire in the desert near Dakhla in Morocco-administered Western Sahara.

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Saharawi owner of a camel herd Habiboullah Dlimi (R) is silhouetted with some of his animals at dusk in the desert near Dakhla in Morocco-administered Western Sahara. In the Oued Eddahab desert in Western Sahara.

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