The Arabian camel, also known as the Saudi camel, is far more than a desert animal. In Saudi Arabia, the camel is a vessel of history, a companion of trade caravans, and a symbol of resilience. It sustained Bedouin tribes across centuries, inspired prophets and poets, and today remains central to racing festivals, wellness through camel milk, and its melodic al‑Heda’a calls. Through transport, trade, sustenance, and song, the camel continues to shape Saudi identity.
The Role of the Camel in Saudi Life
Before we dive deeper into their cultural significance, let’s answer some of the most common questions people ask about camels in Saudi Arabia
Are There Camels in Saudi Arabia?
Absolutely! There are around 1.8 million camels in Saudi Arabia, making it one of the countries with the largest camel populations in the world. These animals live across deserts and cities, at home in both Bedouin heritage and modern urban life. From desert farms near Riyadh and Jeddah to heritage camps and festivals, camels remain visible and vital across the Kingdom.
What Are Camels Used for in Saudi Arabia?
Camels in Saudi Arabia serve diverse purposes:
- Transport & Trade: Historically known as “ships of the desert,” they carried goods, people, and pilgrims.
- Nutrition: Their milk and meat were dietary staples for nomadic tribes.
- Symbolism: Camels appear in the Qur’an, early poetry, and the national story of Saudi unification.
Beyond their practical roles, camels hold a cherished place in Saudi hearts. What began as survival has grown into deep affection and lasting cultural pride.
Dromedary vs Camel: What’s the Difference?
Dromedaries, common in Saudi Arabia, have one hump and are ideal for hot desert environments. Bactrian camels, found in Central Asia, have two humps and are adapted to colder climates. Saudi Arabian camels are dromedaries: resilient, swift, and essential to the region’s history and identity.
The world’s largest camel hospital is located in Buraidah, Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia. The Salam Veterinary Group’s facility spans 70,000 square meters and cost over SAR 100 million (approximately $26.7 million USD).
Common Camel Breeds in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is home to several well-known dromedary breeds, each with distinct characteristics:
- Majaheem (المجاهيم): Deep black to dark brown; large-sized and high in milk production; often showcased in beauty contests.
- Sufur (الصفر): Golden to yellowish; admired for elegance and festival participation.
- Wodh (الوضح): Pale white to ivory; highly prized in races and shows.
- Shaele (الشعل): Reddish-brown; strong and adaptable in various terrains.
- Shageh (شاهقة): Small head, short and thick neck, and narrow chest. Distinctive for its compact build.
- Asail (الأصيل): Yellow to brown coat; appreciated for its noble appearance and cultural value.
- Saheli (الساحلي): Red coat color; admired for its unique hue and endurance.
These breeds are deeply embedded in Saudi cultural life, from racing tracks to traditional farms and modern-day heritage celebrations.
Are Camels Good Pets?
While camels are not pets in the conventional sense, they are loyal and affectionate companions. Many herders describe their camels as responsive and emotionally aware. Yet camels require extensive space, care, and training, making them more suitable for pastoral life than home environments.
Camels can rehydrate rapidly, drinking up to 200 litres of water in 15 minutes. This adaptation allows them to survive long periods in the desert without water, making them indispensable to trade caravans and desert travel.
4 Living Traditions of the Saudi Camel
1. Camel Racing
Camel racing was once a tribal tradition honoring endurance, beauty, and loyalty. Today, it is a national spectacle celebrated at the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, held annually near Riyadh from December through January. In the 2024–25 edition, races covered over 1,335 km across 233 rounds, with SAR 200 million in prize money. Categories include Sofr (young camels), Hayl (strong mature camels), and Zamoul (elder camels known for endurance).
The races reach speeds of 40 km/h over 8 km tracks, blending traditional prestige with modern innovation. Camel racing has become a high-profile sport that draws spectators from across the Gulf.
The evolution of camel racing in Saudi Arabia and the global spotlight on the sport.
Camel races in Saudi Arabia can span up to 8 kilometers, more than triple the average horse race distance!
2. Robot Jockeys: A Modern Racing Revolution
Modern camel races now use robot jockeys: lightweight, remote‑controlled devices equipped with speakers and automated whips. These replace child riders and ensure both safety and fairness. Trainers follow alongside in vehicles, issuing commands to the robot, which transmits them vocally to the camel.
Behind the scenes of the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, showcasing races, pageants, and high-tech training tools.
Saudi camels can travel up to 160 km in a day with minimal water.
3. Camel Milk: Sweet Sustenance from the Sands
Camel milk was a lifeline for Bedouin survival. Rich in iron, vitamin C, and insulin-like proteins, it remains prized for its health benefits. Today, farms in Jeddah, Riyadh, and northern regions have transformed it into a modern superfood. Brands like Noug and Sawani offer bottled camel milk in cafes and supermarkets, while a mega‑processing plant is underway to make Saudi Arabia the world’s top camel milk producer.
Visit a camel farm outside Jeddah, where caretakers discuss camel behavior, nutrition, and fresh milk.
Many Saudis describe the taste as “smooth and slightly sweet,” often tied to tradition and memory.
4. Al‑Heda’a: The Songs That Guide and Bond
Al‑Heda’a is a rhythmic vocal tradition used by herders to guide camels. This UNESCO-listed practice uses sound, gestures, and poetry to communicate with the animals calling them to feed, walk, or kneel. Practiced by both men and women, especially in Najran and Jazan, it’s a living tradition passed down through generations.
A cultural overview of al-Heda’a, showing traditional camel calls and community practice.
Each herder’s call is distinct. Camels respond to familiar voices, forming emotional bonds.
Camels and Cultural Identity
From ancient trade routes to modern-day festivals, camels have shaped the values, stories, and status of Arab societies. To understand their enduring place in Saudi culture, it helps to ask:
Why Do Arabs Love Camels? A Look at Cultural Significance and Emotional Bonds.
Camels have long symbolized wealth, wisdom, and resilience. In ancient Arabia, wealth was often measured by camel ownership. They offered mobility, survival, and identity in the harshest landscapes.
Today, camels are honored through festivals, beauty contests, and heritage performances like al‑Heda’a. In 2024, Saudi Arabia even celebrated the Year of the Camel, showcasing this enduring bond.
Why Do Saudis Import Camels? It’s About More Than Numbers.
Saudi Arabia sometimes imports camels to diversify bloodlines for racing, breeding, or beauty contests. The Crown Prince Camel Festival in Taif attracts prized camels from the Gulf and beyond, with auctions exceeding SAR 56 million. These imports support genetics, cultural prestige, and international partnerships.
Camel jockeys compete at the Crown Prince Camel Festival in Taif, one of Saudi Arabia’s premier heritage racing events.
Camel Cultural Continuity in a Changing Kingdom
Camels remain central to Saudi heritage, bridging past and present:
- The King Abdulaziz Camel Festival features racing, al‑Heda’a, and Mazayen al‑Ibl (beauty pageants).
- Winning camels can fetch prices over 1 million USD.
- Camels are embedded in Islamic history, tribal identity, and even state support from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Closing Reflection
From desert journeys to modern festivals, the Saudi camel carries not just riders, but stories. It is a living link between past and future symbolizing endurance, pride, and shared identity. As Saudi Arabia modernizes, the camel remains rooted in the nation’s cultural soul.
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