Youth, Heritage and Generational Change among Camel Farming Communities in Oman | Atique Ahmed Behan

Lecture
From Tradition to Transformation: Youth, Heritage and Generational Change among Camel Farming Communities in Oman
Camel farming has long been an integral component of rural livelihoods, cultural heritage, and social identity in the Sultanate of Oman. Traditionally associated with pastoral life, family traditions, and the intergenerational transmission of knowledge, camel husbandry continues to occupy a unique place within Omani society. Yet camel farming communities are increasingly adapting to social, economic, and technological transformations that are reshaping the role of camel husbandry in contemporary Oman. The lecture explores how younger and older generations engage with camel farming and its associated cultural practices in different ways. Particular attention is given to the transmission of traditional knowledge, changing motivations for camel keeping, and the role of camel farming as both a livelihood strategy and a symbol of cultural identity. While heritage remains a powerful force shaping participation in camel farming, younger generations increasingly engage with new economic opportunities, technological innovation, and changing aspirations alongside traditional cultural values. Rather than viewing camel farming communities as simply preserving tradition or embracing modernization, the study suggests that cultural heritage continues to adapt to changing social, economic, and technological realities across generations. These intergenerational transformations offer important insights into youth engagement, cultural continuity, rural transformation, and the changing role of traditional livelihoods in contemporary Oman.
Dr. Atique Ahmed Behan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at Sultan Qaboos University, Oman. His research focuses on animal production systems, livestock livelihoods, and the social and cultural dimensions of livestock farming in rural communities. He holds a PhD in Animal Production from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and received his earlier education in veterinary medicine and livestock sciences from Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Pakistan. He is currently a Research Fellow at the Leibniz-Zentrum Moderner Orient (ZMO), Berlin, where he is investigating youth, heritage, and generational change among camel farming communities in Oman.
The lecture is supported by Deutsche Oman Stiftung. It will take place at ZMO.