Camel Domestication in West Africa

Domestication

The domestication of camels is believed to have occurred between 3000 BC and 2001 BC (Zeder). Camels elevated West African life by providing a way to efficiently transport goods for trade and travel through extreme conditions. Camels provided a more comfortable and ethical way of trading.

The Different Types of Camels

There are two different types of camels; Dromedary and Bactrian. The Dromedary camel has one hump and thrives in scorching hot temperatures (Köhler-Rollefson). On the other hand, the bactrian camel has two humps and performs well in cooler temperatures (Köhler-Rollefson).

(Image #8) Although they performed better in different temperatures both species of camels were extraordinary assets.

Adaptations of Camels

Camels have amazing adaptive abilities for extreme conditions. Those abilities allow them to travel across harsh temperatures and survive without water for long periods of time. Harsh temperatures and the lack of water are characteristic of West Africa. The humps on their backs store fat which allow them to go without eating for long durations. Camels also have specialized kidney functions that let them store water (Ripinsky). To prevent sand from getting in their eyes, camels have two rows of eyelashes and a nictitating membrane that acts as a windshield wiper for the eye (Osterloff). Camels' thick lips allow them to eat thorny plants and other hard to eat foods which are frequently found in the desert (Bray).

(Image #9) A camels eye is only one example of the adaptations they have acquired to accommodate harsh conditions. Their eyes include two rows of eyelashes, a nictitating membrane, and large eyebrows.

Trade and Caravans of Camels

Because of the incredible physical adaptations that camels have developed, they allowed for more trade of the highly demanded materials like salt and gold for the people of West Africa (Trans-Saharan Trade Routes). Camels allowed for abundant amounts of goods to be transported at once, especially when in groups called caravans. Caravans are groups of camels that travel across the desert for both safety and efficiency (Britannica). When traveling in caravans through the Sahara Desert, merchants and their camels set out during cooler temperatures and traveled around 20 miles a day with popular goods (Trans-Saharan Trade Routes).

(Image #10)

Caravans of camels traveled across Trans-Saharan trade routes to transport gold and salt throughout Africa.

If you are interested in learning more about camels, check out the links below:

cincinnatizoo.org/the-awesome-world-of-camels/ - This article is more about the adaptations of camels and why they were great travelers of the desert.

www.oerproject.com/Articles/Origins/Trans-Saharan-Trade-Routes - This article is more on the Trans-Saharan trade routes, caravans, and the materials that were traded.

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