The Somalia camel-dealing and geography of camel culture: case study of Hiiraan Region

Abstract

The Somali pastoral economy is mainly based on range animal resources. Over 60 percent of the Somali human population subsist in pastoralism. Pastoralists contribute more than 40 percent of the GDP and 50 cent of National export. Somalia is a rangeland country. About 90 percent of it is best suited for foraging by camels, cattle, sheep and goats. The products obtained from camels are important in the nutrition of the Somali people. Camels ‘ meat and milk are widely used as well as various products are obtained from camels. However, due to the culture, economic and social life based on camel farming, Giants and camel farming have profoundly influenced the shaping of traditional folk culture in Somalia. Such a social lifestyle, belief, property acquisition, the end of the feud, legal decisions and many more areas show the influence of the culture of camels. Somali camel culture has been found to meet the criteria set for its registration on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage at a high level. While searching literature, it has been observed that the methodology of geography has been ignored in the camel researches about Somalia. The research was supported by field studies and observations in the Hiiraan Region in 2017-2018, as well as interviews with camel herders.