In this article, we will show you how the ancestors and descendants of the residents of the UAE, especially Dubai, provided conditions for living in the desert according to their knowledge, so that they could use threats and dangers to their advantage and build such a country.
Table Of Content:
Introduction
Dubai, a city full of glamor, who would have thought that this burning desert would once become an attractive place for tourists and investment. Now you can place Dubai after countries or cities like Singapore, Taiwan, Las Vegas. It is true that the desert of Dubai has not disappeared, and with proper management, the desert, which was once considered a limitation, was used in a correct way and has become the strength of this city. But what has really happened? In my opinion, living in the desert in the old days made the people of this land hardworking and intelligent, so that they could make opportunities out of threats, just like their ancestors lived in this uninhabitable desert.
Dubai Desert
Dubai is well-known for its magnificent contemporary buildings, opulent shopping, and energetic city life, but it also has a breathtaking desert environment nearby. Visitors looking for a respite from the city may have a unique experience in the Dubai Desert, which is a component of the greater Arabian Desert. The following is a general overview of the Dubai Desert:
2.Types of Desert:
One of the world’s largest deserts, the Arabian Desert, includes the Dubai Desert in its entirety. There are many different kinds of desert landscapes in this area, such as large sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and gravel plains.
Ancient life in Desert
Throughout history, those who lived in desert locations, such as the Bedouin tribes that moved about constantly, have shown extraordinary perseverance and adaptation in navigating difficult terrain. Adopting a nomadic way of life, these creative societies navigated the great desert, tracing seasonal routes to find limited water supplies and good grazing areas for their flocks of sheep, goats, and camels.
These prehistoric people coexisted harmoniously with the environment, adapting to their surroundings and deepening their knowledge of the desert’s cycles. They used the clues found in the landscape to anticipate weather patterns and find essential supplies. A pillar of Bedouin culture, their ethic of hospitality demonstrated kindness to outsiders and confirmed the interdependence of human societies despite the difficulties presented by the desert. These ancient desert dwellers left behind a rich cultural heritage, oral traditions, and storytelling that have endured, serving as a unique monument to the human spirit’s ability to flourish in the most extreme settings.
Nomadic Lifestyle:
Numerous people who lived in arid regions had a nomadic lifestyle, frequently traveling from one location to another in quest of water and pasture for their animals. Because they were nomads, they could adhere to seasonal cycles and prevent the depletion of resources in one place.
An interesting point about the residents of the UAE is that the people of this land came to the sea and were fishing by the sea to reduce their need for animal husbandry and desertification is more common in the central places and not in the desert near the sea.
Tents and Portable Shelters:
Because they lived a nomadic existence, traditional homes were frequently transportable and simple to put up. Tents shielded people from the heat and wind using woven camel or goat hair. These tents are lightweight and simple to disassemble, making them ideal for last-minute travel. Many of the desert safari tour camps in Dubai are also made with tents
If you have gone on a desert tour in Dubai, you will definitely notice these tents, but be careful that in the distant times, the tents were simple and light.
Livestock Herding
One of the most important aspects of desert life was the raising of livestock, including camels, goats, and sheep. Essential resources like milk, meat, wool, and hides were produced by these animals. Herders were able to locate ideal grazing grounds for their animals because of their nomadic way of life.
In the Arabian desert, sheep cannot survive in extreme heat, so the camel is considered as a livestock product as a strong quadruped that has high power and its milk and meat are edible, and so far it is an integral part of Arab culture. Camel riding is very popular here, there are even camel riding competitions.
Water Conservation:
The desert people devised creative ways to gather and store water because it was a valuable resource. They managed water scarcity through the use of strategies including creating falaj (ancient irrigation systems), utilizing porous clay pots for storage, and digging underground cisterns.
Ponds, lakes, or other sources of water provide the water for these Aflaj systems. This falaj system’s water content rises following a rainstorm and sharply falls during protracted dry spells.
With a history spanning over 3,000 years, the Al Ain Aflaj system in the United Arab Emirates is the most ancient in the region.
Traditional Clothing
The purpose of clothing was to protect wearers from the scorching desert heat. Layers of clothing provide warmth on chilly evenings, while loose-fitting, light-colored clothing kept people comfortable throughout the day. head coverings to shield the head from the sun and blowing sand, like scarves or turbans.
The white color of Arab clothing was to protect them from the heat. They also wore a long white cloth over their heads and faces so that the sand particles suspended in the air due to the wind would not penetrate into their mouths and faces. It is not bad to know that even the camels that were used for transport had something like glasses to protect their eyes during sandstorms.
Final Word
In ancient times, the indigenous people had learned the customs of living in the desert through their ancestors. The way of living in the desert taught tolerance and patience to the people of this land and they had learned that they have to work hard to survive. This moral characteristic has caused the people of this land to build a country that is one of the best in the world, based on what they have learned from history. As a foreigner who has full knowledge of the culture of the Middle East region, I can say that I have great respect for all these years of effort and perseverance of the rulers and people of this country and I am grateful to them.
