The Animals of On the Move

Sheep and goats are closely identified with pastoral life and provide a way of making a living. Their milk, and the butter and cheese made from it, form the basis of what people eat.

They also provide resources such as hides, hooves, hair and bones for clothing, shelter, household objects, and even musical instruments and toys.

Camels have a key place in pastoral life as a source of nutrition, a means of transport, a form of wealth, and a sign of social prestige. Camel milk is rich in fat, protein and vitamins. The animal’s shed hair is used to make tents, clothing, and bedding.

Camels also feature prominently in social relations in Sahara and Qatar and may be given as bridal gifts or payment for indemnities.

The camel’s significance is reflected in the many specialized words pastoralists use to describe individual animals’ gender, physical characteristics, color, temperament, and stage of life.

Horses have immense practical and symbolic value in Qatar and Mongolia. They have been ridden for pleasure and war, for herding and scouting pasture and prey, and they can also carry loads. Horses are praised in the poetry of Qatar and Mongolia for their speed, courage, and intelligence.

Trained birds of prey have long been used to hunt wild animals. In Mongolia, the khans and ruling families historically hunted with eagles. The Kazakhs of Western Mongolia still do so today.

In Qatar, nomads introduced the practice of hunting with falcons to the region. Today, falconry, with its rich tradition and specially crafted equipment such as gloves and perches, is a highly prized sport and pastime in the country.

In both Mongolia and Qatar, the skills needed to capture, domesticate, and train the bird are typically passed on from father to son.

Dogs are kept by Imuhar nomads and Mongolian pastoralists to protect the herds at night from predators such as wolves or jackals. They do not, however, accompany the herds during the day.

In Qatar, unlike other breeds, saluki dogs are considered pure and a gift from God. They are bred and trained for hunting and they are allowed to rest, eat, and sleep in the tent.

Donkeys are well-adapted to the desert climate and environments of Qatar and the central Sahara. They can eat even tough plants and survive on small amounts of forage, while their large ears help disperse the desert heat.

In both regions, these humble but practical animals are primarily used to carry baggage, goods, and water. In Qatar, they were also ridden, but not in the Sahara, where generally only children ride on donkeys.

Pastoralists hunt or trap wild animals for food or because of the threat they pose to their herds.

In Mongolia, animals such as sable and squirrels are trapped for their furs and meat. Equipment and techniques vary by region and include a variety of snares and traps, nets, and even firearms.

In Qatar hounds are used to hunt gazelles and rabbits and help falcons to hunt birds and ground-dwelling prey.