A Wild Ride Through the Strange and Spectacular World of Animal Festivals
REVIEW: ''Forget the Camel: The Madcap World of Animal Festivals and What They Say About Being Human''
Elizabeth Melampy’s Forget the Camel: The Madcap World of Animal Festivals and What They Say About Being Human is a fascinating and, at times, unsettling exploration of humanity’s relationship with animals. As someone who has spent years advocating for a more compassionate world, I found this book both entertaining and deeply thought-provoking. It’s a whirlwind journey through bizarre festivals where animals are celebrated, exploited, worshipped, and sometimes outright bewildered by the roles humans force upon them.
Melampy’s writing is witty and engaging, making this a page-turner despite its weighty themes. From camel races in the Middle East to sacred cow rituals in India, she paints vivid portraits of cultures where animals play a central role in tradition. Some of these events are heartwarming, others are deeply troubling, but all reveal something about human nature—our love of spectacle, our need for ritual, and, unfortunately, our willingness to use animals as props in our storytelling.
What I appreciated most was how Melampy avoids simplistic moralizing while still making space for critical reflection. She presents these festivals with curiosity, letting readers decide whether these traditions deserve admiration or reevaluation. For those of us who believe in extending justice and respect to animals, the book is both an eye-opener and a challenge. It forces us to ask: Where do we draw the line between cultural tradition and ethical responsibility?
There were moments I laughed at the sheer absurdity of these celebrations, and others where I felt genuine sadness for the animals caught up in them. Melampy’s balance of humor and critique makes Forget the Camel a compelling read for anyone interested in how human culture intersects with the non-human world.
This book left me reflecting on my own advocacy and how traditions, no matter how ingrained, should never be beyond question. It’s a reminder that just because something has been done for centuries doesn’t mean it should continue unchallenged. Forget the Camel is a must-read for animal lovers, cultural explorers, and anyone willing to examine the strange, contradictory ways we humans define ourselves through the creatures we claim to love.
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General Resources
Books:
Dominion: The Power of Animals in Nature and in Our Imagination by Matthew Scully
Animal Liberation by Peter Singer
Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer
A Billion Hungry Mouths: Feeding the World Without Consuming the Planet by Colin Tudge
Websites and organizations:
Documentaries:
Articles:
"The Case for Animal Rights" by Tom Regan
‘‘Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism’’ by Melanie Joy
‘‘Animal Rights: The Abolitionist Approach’’ by Gary L. Francione
‘‘Fellow Creatures: Our Obligations to the Other Animals’’ by Christine Korsgaard
Seeds of Compassion: Finding Jesus Christ in a Vegan World by Michael Corthell
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The information on this vegan/plant-based blog is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, medical, or professional advice. Readers should consult with appropriate professionals for specific advice tailored to their situation. The blog owner is not responsible for any reliance on the information herein.
A most singular sort of book about animals as integrated into human festivals across the globe. Thank you for making this book known and offering an insightful introduction to it.