... The Journey of Resilience
Hussein bin Samir Al-Ajmi told Al-Rai: Camels can survive a full month without drinking water in winter, provided they consume green grass
- Camel herders in Kuwait are mostly Sudanese, owing to their expertise in handling camels
- The areas west of Al-Wafra, Um Qadir, and Al-Salmi are among the most important camel grazing regions in the country
- Camels were honored with mention in the Holy Quran... and Al-Qaswa is the most famous camel in history
Despite the heat, herds of camels in the Kuwaiti desert formed a breathtaking artistic scene, as Al-Rai’s camera captured their journey in search of forage and grass in the Al-Multaqa desert before sunset.
For his part, Hussein bin Samir Al-Ajmi, former vice chairman of the board of directors of the Farmers Union, told Al-Rai that “camels hold great significance in Kuwaiti heritage memory,” in addition to representing an important pillar in food security and livestock wealth.
He noted that “camels have been relatively affected in recent years by factors such as desertification, erosion, and rising temperatures, which have impacted vegetation cover.” He pointed out that “camel grazing in winter differs from summer; in winter, they move from place to place, whereas in summer they tend to stay in one location, although camels face no difficulty adapting to high temperatures.”
He explained that “camels maintain a constant body temperature of 37 degrees Celsius even under the midday sun,” adding that “they drink once every two weeks in spring because they eat green grass, and in winter they can survive a full month without drinking water, provided they consume green grass. In summer, they drink once a day, and sometimes twice, in the morning and evening.”
He emphasized that “camels require large areas to roam,” clarifying that “most camel herders in Kuwait are Sudanese nationals, as they possess expertise in handling camels.”
Regarding the most important grazing areas for camels in the country, Al-Ajmi stated that they “include the areas west of Al-Wafra to Um Qadir and Al-Salmi, among other grazing zones.” He recalled that “camels were honored with mention in the Holy Quran, coupled with the call to observe and reflect upon them. The most famous camel in history is the camel of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family), known as Al-Qaswa.”
While praising “camel milk and its benefits for the digestive and respiratory systems,” Al-Ajmi advised owners to “take good care of their camels, especially during the summer, by cleaning them of parasites and providing nutritional supplements, so they can reap the rewards of this care in winter.”
