About the SCF 2024
Biciid Center for Culture & Nature, along with proposes the Somali Camel Fete, a vibrant festival celebrating the cultural and ecological significance of camels in Somalia during the International Year of Camelids (IYC) 2024 and after. Somalia boasts the world’s largest Dromedary camel population, making it a fitting location to host a major IYC 2024 series event.
The UN has designated 2024 as a special year to celebrate camels (IYC 2024). This year shines a light on the critical role these camelids play in the lives of millions of people in over 90 countries. All six species of camelids – alpacas, Bactrian camels, dromedaries, guanacos, llamas, and vicuñas – are valuable contributors to food security, healthy diets, and economic development. They also hold deep cultural significance for communities around the world.
Somalia occupies a central position in the global camelid landscape, boasting over 35% of the world’s Dromedary camel population. These camels play a vital role in Somali life, with over 90% of the population relying on them for essential dietary needs and economic sustenance. This dependence underscores the international significance of safeguarding Somali camel populations, ensuring the continued well-being of both the animals and the communities they support.
The Somali Camel Fete envisions a world where the cultural and ecological significance of camels in Somalia is widely recognized and celebrated. We aim to foster a deep respect for these resilient animals and their role in sustaining Somali communities and ecosystems.
Vision
The Somali Camel Fete envisions a world where the cultural and ecological significance of camels in Somalia is widely recognized and celebrated. We aim to foster a deep respect for these resilient animals and their role in sustaining Somali communities and ecosystems.
Mission
The Somali Camel Fete is on a mission to:
- Celebrate: Honor the enduring bond between Somali people and camels, highlighting their historical and contemporary importance.
- Educate: Raise awareness about camel conservation, traditional herding practices, and their contribution to Somali food security.
- Empower: Provide a platform for Somali camel herders to share their knowledge and experiences, fostering community engagement and cultural pride.
- Advocate: Promote sustainable camel management practices and advocate for policies that support the well-being of both camels and the Somali people.
Objectives
- Celebrate the vital role of camels in Somali culture, past and present.
- Raise awareness about camel conservation and sustainable herding practices.
- Promote Somalia’s rich cultural heritage through traditional performances and photo exhibitions.
- Exchange knowledge about the Somali Camel and how they can contribute to the rest of the world.
Event Activies
The activities of the event will cover four different sectors, including Educational Forum [Camel Milk cooperation, Presenting Camel Research, Camel Talks, Panel discussions, Life Experience Talks and Pastoralist Education], Cultural Forum [Poetry and Storytelling for Camel Culture, Awarding Camel Owners], Camel Exhibition [Camel Products, Photo Exhibition], Peace & Stability [Camel Herding Resource Management, Historical role of camel in Somali conflict, Building Peace through the dialogue, Peace Building through Pastoralism, Peace Tent].
- Educational Forum
Camels, the majestic ships of the desert, have traversed the Somali landscape for millennia, shaping not just the environment but also the very essence of Somali culture. The Somali Camel Fete is a vibrant celebration of this enduring bond, a platform to delve into the fascinating world of these remarkable animals.
- Camel Milk Cooperatives: Exploring how camel milk cooperatives can create economic opportunities and promote cooperation between camel milk producers. This could involve discussions on:
- Establishing fair market access for camel milk producers.
- Building collective bargaining power for herders in the market.
- Promoting collaboration in camel veterinary care.
- Stablishing Somali Camel herder’s Higher commission.
- Establishing
- Advocate Participating Policy-making level.
- Camel Research: Presentations by leading camel researchers on topics like camel health, breeding, economics, and adaptation to climate change.
- Camel Talks: Interactive sessions with experienced Somali camel herders sharing their insights and traditional knowledge.
- Panel Discussions: Discussions featuring experts, policymakers, and community representatives on critical issues like sustainable camel management, camel conservation efforts, and the role of camels in pastoralist livelihoods.
- Life Experience Talks: Inspiring stories from Somali camel herders, camel experts, camel business owners towards their lives, challenges, and enduring connection with these animals.
- Pastoralist Education: literacy among herders. Partnering with the Puntland Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Fete offers engaging literacy campaigns to camel herders and their pastoral families. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Livestock and Husbandry steps in with hands-on workshops on camel care and best practices. It’s a meeting of tradition and progress, empowering herders with knowledge for a brighter future.
- Cultural Forum
This vibrant festival promises to be a multi-sensory experience, offering a platform for education, entertainment, and dialogue. Step into the heart of Somali culture through:
- Poetry and Storytelling for Camel Culture: Traditional Somali poetry and storytelling sessions that celebrate themes of unity, development, culture, livelihoods, language, conflicts, cooperation, and peaceful coexistence. This could involve:
- Inviting renowned Somali poets and storytellers to share their work.
- Highlighting stories that illustrate the value of collaboration and resource sharing.
- Encouraging audience participation through poetry readings or storytelling competitions.
- Awarding Camel Owners: Calling the person who owns the plentiest camels around Somali communities to give “Camel Owner Award”. The Award will charestrize;
- Calling who possesses the biggest camel population in Somalia.
- Giving award — “Somali Camel Award”.
- Making him a symbolic to Somali community.
- Peace and Stability to Camel’s Herdsman
To further enrich the Herders’ Gathering experience, the Somali Camel Fete will offer dedicated educational forums that delve deeper into the themes of peacebuilding and camel herding:
- Photo Exhibition: “Camels for Peace”: A curated photo exhibition showcasing camels as a symbol of unity and collaboration in Somalia. Somali’s historically say “Camels born in the month called —“With me”, “Milk with me”, “Herd with me”, “Catch with me”, “Water with me”. This could feature:
- Images of herders from different communities working together.
- Photos depicting camels used for peaceful purposes like trade or transportation.
- Stories highlighting the positive role camels play in Somali society.
- Camel Herding and Resource Management: This forum will explore traditional and modern techniques for sustainable camel herding practices that minimize environmental impact and reduce competition for resources like water and grazing land. Experts will discuss strategies for drought preparedness and conflict prevention through collaborative resource management.
- The Historical Role of Camels in Somali Conflict: A panel discussion, special presentations, life experience talks, featuring Somali historians and anthropologists will shed light on the complex relationship between camels and conflict in Somalia. The forum will explore historical incidents of camel-related disputes and analyze the root causes of these conflicts. Additionally, the discussion will highlight traditional conflict resolution mechanisms employed by Somali communities in the past.
- Building Peace through Dialogue: This session will bring together herders, peacebuilding experts, and community leaders to discuss contemporary approaches to fostering peace and collaboration between communities reliant on camels. The forum will explore successful peacebuilding initiatives and encourage dialogue on strategies for promoting peaceful coexistence and resource sharing. The conference will establish Peace Committees among the Barqamaal communities and other pastoral camel herders.
- Peacebuilding through Pastoralism: A panel discussion exploring how traditional pastoralist knowledge and practices can be leveraged to foster collaboration and conflict resolution between communities. This could involve discussions on:
- Sharing water resources and grazing land equitably.
- Establishing early warning systems for drought and resource scarcity to avoid upcoming clashes and conflicts.
- Stablishing Peace and Stability camel herders commission.
- Reviving traditional conflict resolution mechanisms.
- Peace Tent: A dedicated space for open dialogue and facilitated discussions on conflict resolution strategies. This could include:
- Inviting community leaders, peacebuilding experts, and herders for informal discussions.
- Providing resources and information on conflict resolution techniques.
- Encouraging attendees to share their own experiences and perspectives.
- Camel Exhibition
The Somali Camel Fete unveils the world of camels not just through captivating stories and educational forums, but also through a multi-sensory experience: captivating exhibitions. Prepare to immerse yourself in the richness of Somali camel culture through two distinct showcases:
- Camel Products Exhibition: A showcase of various camel-derived products, including milk, meat, hides, and industrialized byproducts More than 60 Barqamaal & Hotels business owners will participate this exhibition. The milk will be discounted more than 50% off, and meat also. Other byproducts like camel milk powders, camel creams, camel oils, and the camel soaps will be presented inside the booths. Each company will have its own separate booths.
- Photo Exhibition: A visual journey into the world of Somali camel herders, capturing their daily lives, challenges, and the unique bond they share with camels. Somali photographers and film makers will present a documentary films, photos and hand-drawing paintings. Bringing life camels in the venue will fuel the interests of the event, by taking fun with camels, having pictures milking camels and other camel stories.
By incorporating these event activities, the Somali Camel Fete can go beyond celebrating camels and actively promote peacebuilding efforts in Somalia. It can create a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and the creation of sustainable solutions that benefit both camels and Somali communities.
Expected Outcomes
- Increased public awareness about the importance of camels in Somalia’s cultural heritage and food security.
- A platform for knowledge exchange between camel herders, researchers, and policymakers on sustainable camel management practices.
- Fostered appreciation for the unique bond between Somali people and camels.
- Enhanced international recognition of Somalia’s role in camel conservation.
- Advocating the modernization of Somali Camels.
- Letting other nation to know potentiality of the Somali camels.
- Sharing camel knowledge.
Call for Articles: Somali Camel Fete 2024
The Biciid Center for Culture and Nature is pleased to announce the call for articles for the Somali Camel Fete 2024, taking place on June 21-22 in Garowe, Somalia. We invite participants to submit articles on a variety of topics related to Somali camels. Submissions can cover areas including but not limited to:
– Health & diseases
– Economy
– Investments
– Barqamaal camel practice
– Export and value added
– Insurance
– Camel Scientific advancement
– Review of Camels Articles
– Milk Production Chain
– Government Regulations
– Modernization of Camel Practices
– Fodder Production
– Cultures related to Camels
– Camel Sports
– Livelihoods on camels
– Droughts and Resilience
– Water Harvesting related to Camels
– Industrialization of Camel Byproducts
– Any other relevant topics related to camels
We welcome contributions from researchers, professionals, enthusiasts, and anyone with valuable insights into the significance and multifaceted role of camels in Somalia. Selected articles will be featured during the festival and published in the event’s proceedings.
Submission Guidelines
– Articles should be original and not previously published. Unless it’s [a review of ARTICLES].
– Submissions should be between 1,000 [min] — 2,000 [max] words.
– Include an abstract of no more than 250 words.
– Provide references and citations where appropriate (APA system).
– Submit articles in PDF or Word format.
Deadline for Submissions: May 31, 2024, not later than 4:00 pm.
Please send your articles to camelfete@biciid.com, cc: info@biciid.com with the subject line “SCF 2024 Article Submission, Include Your location”
We look forward to your contributions and to celebrating the vital role of camels in Somali culture and economy.
This call for articles aims to gather diverse perspectives and research on the importance of camels, contributing to a deeper understanding and appreciation of their role in Somalia.
Thanks
