We froze. A four-legged, nearly 500kgs creature, was rumbling towards us with a mighty bellow. When it came close, we involuntarily shut our eyes. Even with our closed eyes and palpitating hearts, we could still feel this scary beast’s presence.
When we mustered enough courage to open our eyes, we were astounded to see this brown being roundly pecking on our host, a tall, slim, charming, short-haired lady, who seemed to return the affection in a very warm way. This huge dromedary did not even seem to know or care that we existed. This ‘Ship of the Desert’ was oblivious to all except our host. If she had arms like us, she would have hugged Lilianne ‘Layla’ Donders, who in many circles is fondly considered as this region’s own ‘camel whisperer’.
Lilianne and Zubeida (18 years), a nearly 13-year old pet camel, who is the oldest of the lot in Lilianne’s little camel pen/farm at her home in Seeb, share an unusual bond. “I bought Zubeida – my first camel – in Syria. We know each other quite well,” Lilianne said as the 13-year old nuzzled into her face.
Jealousy or that competitive spirit, especially when it comes to sharing affection, is rabid among all creatures on earth as was witnessed when the others in the pen/farm also rushed to seek Lilliane’s affection. But this ‘camel’ lady had enough and more affection to shower on her other camels Zenobia (28 years) Sheba (13), Zahara (12), Ghazal (4), Shaheen (bull 3), Suleimah (3) and Najmah (2).
Lilianne’s home spun camels
These camels are part of Lilianne’s home-based stable. While lesser mortals are happy with dogs and cats, Lilianne belongs to a different league altogether. She has these camels (bought over a period of time) all happily residing in her little camel abode. And she also has her share of dogs, Zanzibar (12), Farah (9), Aseelah (2) and Dhabiah (4 months).
As the other camels also vied for attention from her, Lilianne went on: “We bought Zubeida, together with her young calf, Sheba, first. It took me some time to learn how to take care of her, look after her needs, provide her with food and the necessary medicines. But, being a nurse by profession, I found it easy to learn the basic medicines and injections needed for a camel.
“Today, I can handle most of the infections and sickness that a camel could get. Over the years, I also learnt to train the camels too.
“A year later we bought Zenobia with her calf Zahra. However, she was already a much older camel when we bought her. So while Zenobia is by far the oldest camel of the lot, Zubeida and Sheba are with us the longest!”
First camel in 1998
“It took me many years to own my first camel and by that time I had travelled a lot, learnt, researched about camels and knew that camels are very intelligent and they can be domesticated. They recognise you and learn to listen to you in a very short span (in her case, three months).”
Lilianne petted and patted and showered affection on her camels as she spoke to us. She bought her first camel in 1998 in Syria, she tells us. “Actually, my love affair with the camels started long before, and right here in Oman. I still remember that day at a souk in Sinaw. It was the first time I was seeing a camel cry. Actually, that was a very cute little six month old baby camel crying… Tears were rolling out of his eyes, just like it does from our eyes. The poor thing looked so lost, sad and forlorn. The Omani gentleman had sold his mother and was trying to look for another buyer for the baby. The minute I saw this baby, I realised that I was somehow being drawn to the world of camels and that my future was going to be with them in some way or the other.
“From then I wanted to know all about camels and wanted to closely interact with them. I knew then, I wanted camels in my home. Somewhere in a corner of my heart I had fallen in love with this majestic and gentle animal and I told my husband that someday I am going to own them.”
All the camels at her camel pen easily recognises her, can make out her voice and understand her commands. “They also recognise people by their smell. They play with you, even kiss you with affection. Once they are used to you, camels don’t bite or harm you in anyway. They are gentle animals though they look big and strong. They could fall sick and are as sensitive as human beings. In fact some of them are emotional and possessive too. When I am with one, the other will try to steer me away with affection!”
She was right. We were witness to that show of affection, some of them literally pushing the other from Lilianne.
Family members
For Lilianne, camels mean everything. It is a topic on which she can go on and on. We had reached at her home for an interview, but all of us were struck by the love she showered on her camels and vice versa and we remained in the garden, despite the sultry weather. “Camels are very co-existing animals. They don’t harm each other and don’t display violent behaviour. If you go close to them and bow in to their nose, they will smell you, recognise you. My camels are like my family members. I feel very protective when I am with them. I have crossed the desert with my camels and it has been a worthwhile experience. I have interacted with many Bedouin families while I cross the desert, I teach the ladies personal hygiene, how to better their lives, how to clean and maintain the camels, use camel milk and products for themselves and family members.”
Initiated into camel milk
After sometime Lilianne took us inside their spacious home and asked us what we would like to drink? “Tea or coffee?” Her husband, the affable, Robert Weener, who is a former Shell bigwig, amiably butted in and asked us whether we would have a spot of camel milk? As we mulled over this issue, both Lilianne and Robert quickly reassured us that camel milk was not in anyway unhealthy. For someone who has been weaned only on cow milk, the camel version is quite a revelation. We tasted it. Slightly saltier, a bit thicker…well, in short, it tasted different, but not at all bad and we are willing to try it again. Many people around the world depend on camel milk though it is said to be an ‘acquired taste’. It contains antibodies which may help to fight against serious diseases like cancer, HIV/Aids, Alzheimer’s and hepatitis B. It is also found to be good for people who are diabetic. Camel’s milk need not be cooked until boiling like a cow or goat’s milk. It is rich in taste and must be taken slowly to allow the stomach to digest.
Best and healthiest food
“Camel milk is one of the best and healthiest food item available at home. Why eat food that is filling, but not healthy? And why waste power food when you have it in your own home? Bedouins live with goats and camels and most of the camel milk is wasted. The baby camels do feed on the mother’s milk, but a good healthy camel can produce up to 13 litres of milk every day. That is quite a lot of milk at home and that can keep the whole household healthy and shining. It is only a matter of awareness that is lacking. In my own small way I pass the information on,” Lilianne said.
Real adventure in Oman
Lilianne (nee Elizabeth Anna Donders) was trained to be a registered nurse and from 1976 onwards, earned her living by caring for patients in various hospitals. She is also a trained fashion design instructor. In 1980, she followed her husband, who was working for Shell, to Oman. And it is here where the real adventure of her life began and despite the trial and tribulations she had to endure on the health front, Lilianne transformed herself from a nurse and designer to a campaigner and a well known animal lover, with special emphasis on camels. She lived in Oman for eight years and formed some of the most intense friendships with Omanis. It was here in Oman she was adopted by Al Jenaibah tribe. That is where she earned the Arabic name, Layla. Sheikha Layla.
Walking with camels
Layla soon fell in love with the nomadic lifestyle and also became intrigued by their means of transport: the camel. That sparked the flame of an unusual wish to walk along the camel caravan routes of the past. And during their next posting to Syria, Lilianne bought four camels – mother and daughter pairs – namely, Zenobia and Zahra, and Zubeida and Sheba.
Caravan for cancer
But with the whiff of adventure also came the stench of danger when Layla was diagnosed with breast cancer. This was while she was preparing for the first camel caravan. During her radiation and chemo-therapy her husband was told that they would have to move to their next posting: Tehran. Rather than call the whole thing off, Lilianne decided on the spot to extend her walk starting in Damascus all the way to Tehran; the idea for the ‘Caravan for Cancer’ was born. This proved to be the real turning point for Layla and through her sponsored walk, she raised enough funds to establish a clinic for the Bedouin women living in the desert around Palmyra (Tadmor) in Syria.
Caravan of hope
When the next move came up, this time from Tehran to Dubai, the itch to walk arose once more. This time the walk would go from Tehran to Muscat in Oman, and back again to Dubai. This voyage became the ‘Caravan of Hope’ with sponsorship proceeds being dedicated to building a mother and child clinic for Palestinian refugees.
Helped dispel myths
Layla also put a lot of effort in supporting Bedouin ladies making traditional handicrafts. Over and above that, she also succeeded in bursting many myths about the Arab world, considered by many outsiders as an unsafe world. “I found that quite unfair and sought to dispel the negativity surrounding the Middle East area. Oman itself is an example of peace and harmony. The people of this country are the most warm and hospitable when compared to anywhere in the world.”
Home is where the heart is
Layla returned to Oman in June 2010 and this is the country where she and her husband decided to retire. “They say, home is where the heart is! Very true; Oman was the place where I fell in love with the camels and is a nation very close to our hearts. After very many years we are back here and it is like returning home. We want to live here now. Just like the camels fascinating me, Oman is our second home and we want to spend our retired lives here. It’s a wonderful country, very unique, with very loving citizens; it is a safe and one of the most hospitable countries in the world. Sometimes you know where you belong to, your heart tells you. Oman is our home now, since the last two and half years!”
Power animals
Layla believes that camels are power animals. “From the milk they produce to their urine, meat, everything is packed with good health and power. I have personal experience of it. Since I was affected by breast cancer and during the course of time, I put myself on a camel milk diet and camel urine therapy for a 40 days span. It proved to be quite a lifesaver and I personally believe the milk and urine has phenomenal curing properties!” Globally camel milk has become a craze, people and researchers have stumbled on to many health secrets that camel milk could provide. “The milk is a little salty and will take us few extra days to get accustomed to, but once you acquire the taste, you will love it. A recent research says camel milk can help cure autism and developmental syndromes,” noted Layla.
Camel milk farm for Oman
“Camel milk doesn’t get curdled like other milk and it is a boon for people with lactose intolerance. My husband has it and he has the option now, he drinks camel milk. He is happy about it. We buy our stock at the UAE currently. We hope Oman takes up commercial production of camel milk. It has got huge potential and it is one of my dreams to see a camel milk farm happen in Oman soon. Oman has the best of camels in the region and has the highest potential to commercialise camel milk production. The market is out here as well regionally and globally too.”
Both Layla and her husband stressed on how it was necessary to maintain a clean and hygienic lifestyle for the camels. “This is very important. I also teach the Bedouins on how to maintain and clean the camels. I learnt it from professional trainers and from experience. If the camels are clean and hygienically brought up, the milk can be consumed naturally. The process of milking has to be clean too. It is only a matter of learning some trade tricks. Then you can have milk right at home!”
Next walk next year
Layla is already planning another trip. It was originally planned for November, this year, but later postponed to a year because their eldest son is going to get married this winter. “After surviving breast cancer, this is my first attempt at crossing the desert. This time I have more company, I will take my camels along. As I have said, camels know their way around and would take me safely across the desert. I feel much protected with them around and I am confident that I will never lose my way. These are the ships of the desert and can find their ways around. I know to speak the Bedouin language and can communicate with the tribes in the desert region. I am learning Arabic too.” The trip will take her from Muscat to Manah, Fahud, Rub Al Khali, Mughsayl, Sishar, Thumrait, Salalah, Shelim, Ras Madrakah, Duqm, Ramlat Al Sharkiyah, Sinaw, Muscat. I might need at least four months to complete this walk and is going to be another life changing experience for me!
“I love to cross the desert. This walking trip might sound long and tiring to many, but for me, it is one more dream coming true. I want to make a difference in the society in which I live and in this case, I want to be one with the people of the desert and I believe I can. They have accepted me and now with this acceptance, I want the world to see and understand these people too. I am sure many will feel at home here too.”
Layla said she wanted to add a charitable element to the trip. “We have not finalized as to what the cause will be. We will also use the trip to highlight the amazing healing qualities of camel milk.”
As Layla came out to see us off, her large pets, slightly stirred themselves from their pens, watching us from the corner of their bulging eyes, making sure that we did not steal their little human mother away from them! We wouldn’t dare mess up with her kids!
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