A dusty track in the remote western region of the United Arab
Emirates, on the verge of what is known as “The Empty Quarter” of the country
is one of the last places you'd expect to find a beauty competition.
But the leggy, doe-eyed lovelies on parade here
are of the four-legged variety.
The Al Dhafra Camel Festival held every year is
a celebration of the ancient bond between humans and the "ships of the
desert," which have traditionally provided Bedouins with food, clothing
and transportation.
The highlight of the event, which draws more
than 1,500 camel owners and 25,000 camels from all over the Arabian Peninsula
to Al Dhafra, about 150km west of Abu Dhabi, is the Camel Beauty Contest.
The judges in this high-stakes
contest rate the animals - the females of which are considered better looking - on criteria including firmness of ear, straightness of leg and the size of
their toe cleft.
“The big size of the bones, the
big foot, the height of the camel, the neck," explains one of the judges,
listing the most desirable attributes.
"The smoother the neck the
better, the longer the neck the better."
It's a job he takes seriously, as the spoils of
victory can be significant.
The festival is an important auction market for
purebred camels, and as well as commanding high prices, award-winning specimens
can confer immense prestige on their owners it’s a competition between tribes
as well. Everybody wants the prettiest camel to be owned by their tribe –
preferably by themselves.
According
to the rules laid down in the festival program, owners are required to swear
religious oaths that the stated age and lineage of their animals is correct.
As well
as the beauty contest and auctions, the festival also has contests in
traditional pursuits such as camel racing, camel milking, falconry and date
packaging. There is also racing of purebred Arabian salukis, the slender
sight-hound that is one of the world's most ancient breeds of domesticated dog,
as well as handicrafts displays.
While
the SUV has replaced the camel as a means of transportation in the modern
Emirates, it's clear the animal retains an important place in the nation's
heart.
In a
country about which it is often said that it went from riding camels to driving
Cadillacs in 25 years, the younger generation seems aware of the importance of
preserving the culture of their forefathers where camels were equal to wealth
and status.
May the
most beautiful camel win.
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