the Lion of the Desert

Omar al Mukhtar is widely known as the ‘Lion of the Desert’, a name he is said to have acquired after an incident which took place on one of his early journeys to Sudan, whilst accompanying the Senussis.

In 1894, Omar Al Mukhtar was trusted to lead a delegation of the Senussi Order to Sudan. Upon reaching al-Kufra, in the south-east tip of Libya, the delegation came upon a caravan of merchants and businessmen who were also preparing to travel into Sudan. Omar Al Mukhtar and his delegation decided to join the businessmen, as it was felt that their expert knowledge of the route and the desert tracks would assist Omar Al Mukhtar and the Senussi delegation to cross the dangerous terrain safely¹.

On nearing Sudan from the south east of Kufrah, they came across a narrow crossing, which was renowned for attacks on the caravans by predatory lions. A commonly used method to avoid attacks by lions on travelers, was to pre-purchase an inexpensive camel to travel ahead of the group, and act as an intended sacrifice, to any lions laying in wait.

Omar Al Mukhtar was against the suggestion that the group purchase a sacrificial camel, stating that they would, instead, fight any lions which blocked their path. Although this suggestion was met with trepidation by the traders and businessmen, Omar was adamant that they proceed without a camel. Upon reaching the crossing, the caravan was indeed challenged by a lion, which Omar reportedly rode towards on horseback and fired at with a rifle: the lion was allegedly killed by his second shot. Omar apparently then skinned the lion and left it on the trail, so that future convoys would see it, and be encouraged to fight any lions, which they may encounter ².