The Reins of the Future

Across the Middle East, and particularly in the Gulf states, camels hold a special place. Camel races, camel beauty pageants, and camel auctions are a familiar sight, as are the carefully monitored herds often seen roaming the region. No trip to Oman, the UAE, or Saudi Arabia would be complete without the sight of a camel, legs neatly folded under itself, kneeling patiently in the bed of a truck, being driven slowly down the highway.

Maintaining the link between traditions and modernity is a crucial discussion, particularly for the younger generation. As globalisation becomes increasingly common, and social media brings the world ever closer together, it’s exciting to see how young people are navigating the old and the new.

With the climate crisis redrawing borders and migration on the rise, it will be up to the next generation to preserve their cultural heritage and pass these traditions on to their own children. This International Day of Youth, let’s celebrate the future and join hands with young people as we work toward a better tomorrow.

This award-winning photograph is from the fourth season, “Life in Color”, of the Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Rashid al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) Archive. The Climate Tribe has partnered with HIPA, leveraging the power of photography to inspire global awareness of sustainability and advance climate action.