Distinctive shape of the Prosopis tree Village on the northern edge of the Wahibah sands. Groundwater sustains agriculture, mostly dates and animal fodder The Bedu The Bedu , the nomadic inhabitants of the Wahibah, herd flocks of goats, finding water from scarce wells. But the Bedu travel by four-wheel drive rather than by camel these days. Camels are prized more as racing animals. Young boys jockey the camels, which race at an average speed of 40 kilometres per hour.
Owners follow their beasts in four-wheel drive vehicles on a parallel track.
Both Bedu and tourists attended the Rimal al Sharqiyah Festival held over Eid al Adha in 2000, with singing, dancing, camel rides, dune climbing and display and sale of local handicrafts. This should become an annual event. The colours of the sand of the Wahibah are breathtaking, particularly in early morning and late afternoon. Personally, I find them very warm and soothing. And forget goat-skin tents.