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View Exhibtion

The Farm

Frank Ferguson

The Farm
Lahbab, UAE.
The project illustrates the rarely seen day to day caretaking of the UAE’s camels, whilst also showing the natural beauty of the country’s landscape.
For centuries, the camel has been a loyal and steadfast friend to the Emiratis. People of the region forged an indelible emotional bond with this intelligent animal that has survived through thousands of years. Even today, despite urbanisation and modernisation, the camel holds a special place in the heart of every Emirati and continues to be a symbol of their cultural heritage.
Spread over thousands of small camel farms there are 300,000 camels in the UAE, mostly used for breeding, racing and to provide milk. Every single camel has a registered owner.
In 2022, seeking to walk in a beautiful, but fenced-off desert area, I requested access through a camel farm near Lahbab. At the end of my walk, I accepted an invitation from the herdsmen to see their camels.
For three years I have returned to the same farm many times, getting to know camels and herdsmen better with each visit. Most striking are the majestic nature of the camels, and the warm bond between them and their caring minders. Twice I was lucky to catch fleeting glimpses of Arabian gazelle, a vulnerable antelope that is native to the Arabian Peninsula.
The photographs presented are a glimpse of life and routine on the farm for both the camels and the herdsmen – early morning awaking of the camels, feeding time, arrivals and departures for breeding purposes, the camels wandering their natural habitat, cleaning the pens, and mid-morning chai.


POS FF 532 1The Lonely OnePOS FF 532 1
POS FF 532 2Opening TimePOS FF 532 2
POS FF 532 3The BondPOS FF 532 3
POS FF 532 4Breakfast Time 1POS FF 532 4
POS FF 532 5Growing the HerdPOS FF 532 5
POS FF 532 6Homeward BoundPOS FF 532 6
POS FF 532 7Release TimePOS FF 532 7
POS FF 532 8Please don't get in our wayPOS FF 532 8
POS FF 532 9The Watering TroughPOS FF 532 9
POS FF 532 10The HerdsmanPOS FF 532 10
POS FF 532 11Off at a pacePOS FF 532 11
POS FF 532 12Sculpted by Nature POS FF 532 12
POS FF 532 13Arabian Sand GazellesPOS FF 532 13$1,000
POS FF 532 14The Ladder POS FF 532 14
POS FF 532 15The Ghaf TreePOS FF 532 15$1,000
POS FF 532 16Breakfast Time 2POS FF 532 16
POS FF 532 17ShelterPOS FF 532 17
POS FF 532 18Fateh MuhammadPOS FF 532 18
POS FF 532 19Recycling TimePOS FF 532 19
POS FF 532 20Hard WorkPOS FF 532 20
POS FF 532 21Abdul GhaniPOS FF 532 21
POS FF 532 22And relax.....POS FF 532 22
POS FF 532 23The Water BreakPOS FF 532 23
POS FF 532 24Chai TimePOS FF 532 24
POS FF 532 25Three's a CrowdPOS FF 532 25
POS FF 532 26Another DayPOS FF 532 26