This is the location of the annual "Dune Stock" music festival that
takes place in the cooler winter months in Qatar. Hundreds of party
goers normally decend on the area for 2 days of celebrations and
camping in the desert.
On a more serious note - since the early days when explorers set
out to discover what was beyond the horizons there have been tales
of strange sounds being heard in the desert. This fascinating
natural phenomenon is the result of friction from a thin layer of
sand flowing down the leeward side of a sand dune, fed from the top
by wind. Amplified by the cresent shaped of the "barchan" dunes it
is said the sound can be heard up to 10km away. The sound is a deep
and resonant humming that seems strange and eerie in an otherwise
silent and desolate desert landscape. There are not many areas in
the world where the sand produces such a sound. Musical sand, or
silica, requires the exact amount of abrasive qualities, together
with precise wind and moisture conditions. [Suffice to say that you
will not always hear the sound - winter months are generally
better.]
This combination though can be found here - some 40km south west
of Doha on a paved road. This area is known to the locals as the
"Singing Dunes". Although the sound occurs naturally it can be
triggered by sliding slowly down the steep face of the dune or by
running along the crest. Each footstep can then create a humming
sound as the sand starts running down the steep side. Sometimes one
can feel the vibration on your feet if running barefoot.
Remember to take a large cardboard box or a large flat plastic
tray for some sand sledging down the side! Really great fun but
PLEASE remember to take all your litter with you when you leave -
cardboard boxes included!
FTF = Wyoming Wombats
