Al Dhafra Camel Festival

We recently had the opportunity to take family out to the Al Dhafra Camel Festival about 2 hours from Abu Dhabi near Madinat Zayed in the Al Gharbia Region of the UAE. Thousands of people from around the Arabian Peninsula came to celebrate their culture centred around their camels.

A few photos here to give you an idea of events which were spread out over several days during the middle of December.

First stop, tents with items for sale blowing in the breeze, what can they be?



On closer look it could be ladies underwear!



More underwear for the females and canes for sale for the men.



Some of the judges come to look over the females in their best dressed "underwear".

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Some of the ladies in their underwear.

It's the camel beauty contest of course. Shape, form, lips, face, hair colour and those long lovely legs are what counts.


Judging in progress

A couple of kiwis admiring one of the contestants.

People come from from all over Arabia to the camel festival. There are plenty of big prizes at stake in The Most Beautiful Camel Contest. Four large tandem axle trucks plus around 200 4WDs were lined up provided high interest and a passionate crowd in the stands during judging. We were met by a lovely Emirati man who gave a us a personally conducted tour of the contest and explanation of what was happening.



Being looked after in the VIP stand.




Five young Saudis who were very hospitable and wanted to tell us about their trip to the festival.

One of the young Saudis and the lady of his life.




Traditional wind tower

Sitting in the chairs under the wind tower was surprising cool and refreshing. Designed to funnel the wind or slightest breeze from any direction down into living areas had been used for centuries throughp0ut the Middle East. This type of wind tower is typical of those found in the old Bastikiya area of Dubai and originated in Iran. Open to the elements, I am not sure what when it rains although I did see some with triangular shaped windows.

After a good look around here, we moved on to the camel races for a 3.00pm start. Non stop racing was all over in half an hour!


Racing!

Supporters, trainers and owners follow the camels controlling the electronic jockey and talking to the camels! Apparently the camels recognise their trainers voices through an on-camel loudspeaker.


One winner



Training

This was the first time we had seen human jockeys leading camels immediately behind a race. By the time the newcomers had finished the next race was about to start. Non-stop action at the camel races!


Another winner