A voice the herd knows
Alheda'a is how herders talk to their camels. It is an oral, many-voiced expression, rhythmic and inspired by poetry, sometimes joined by gestures or musical instruments.
Each herder uses a distinctive set of sounds that the camels have grown used to.
What the calls do
With these calls herders lead their camels across desert and pasture to water and food, and gather them for milking. In danger, a sandstorm for instance, the calls bring the herd together fast. They are also used to teach camels to tell right from left, to open their mouths on request and to kneel to be ridden.
Above all, Alheda'a builds a bond between camel and herder, and between the herders themselves. Children learn it by joining adult relatives on their daily trips. UNESCO listed it in 2022.