"The Story of the Weeping Camel" and what we can learn from it.

Today, I had the chance to see this fantastic documentary-movie "The Story of the Weeping Camel" again and while watching it, a number of thoughts came to me.

First, these people there, living in harsh conditions, completely isolated from what we today call "the civilized world", are perfectly happy. They have each other, they have their herds of camels and sheep, they have their portable homes, they have the entire steppe to explore. Their exposure to technology is relatively minimal, although, in the end, they do buy a TV set, complete with satellite dish, to satisfy the younger boys' wish. 

Second, they have a stronger connection with Religion and Tradition. They make food offerings to their gods and they open their houses to everyone, without asking for anything in return. They are simple, but not simple minded. They speak little, because there is no need for them to say many things. And in the evening, the grandfather gathers the family around the fire and tells them stories and legends.

But the movie is - above all else - the story of a camel and how traditional music changed it. In case you haven't seen the movie yet, I will not spoil the ending for you. But I will talk about the music part. It is extremely interesting to hear that they have a music ritual to fix a camel with a particular problem. The people in the film didn't come up with the idea, it is part of a tradition; which means, that an ancestor once realized that music had healing effects on camels! Nowadays scientists have proven the healing effects of music on a variety of things - there is even a man who plays Mozart to his grapes to make them grow and produce better juice... But to see how people who have no access to hard science, only through observation, understood that, is simply incredible. I believe that it is incredible for two reasons: first, it shows how important a role music has had ever since the dawn of civilization and second, that as a collective, humans and animals alike, benefit from the harmonics of music and song. 

I know that I am not saying anything groundbrakingly novel here. But it is a small realization, that makes me feel comfortable and all warm inside. All I can say is, in case you haven't seen the movie, see it; and if you have seen it, then maybe dwell on the importance of the music ritual in it and see if you can transer it in your life - not necessarily with the particular music of the film, but with the kind of music that makes you feel good and happy!