Wind-carved sands were the perfect place for families to haul their camels. Servers served tiny cups of Arabic coffee. Judges walked down desert lots.
Over the grandstand, a single question was raised: Which were the most beautiful camels?
While the omicron variety is ripping through the world’s livestock, legions of breeders from Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia traveled to the UAE’s southwest desert this week to bring 40,000 of their most beautiful camels to the Al Dhafra Festival.
The pageant’s five-man jury insists that beauty is not in one’s eye. The criteria used to evaluate the aesthetics of Camel are those established generations ago. Authorities stated that only female camels are allowed to participate as males often fight too much.
Mohammed al-Muhari, one of the organizers, described the platonic ideal as hundreds of camels trundled through dusty pastures with their necks bobbing.
According to him, the neck must be straight and thin, with cheeks wide and cheeks open, and hooves should be large. The lips should droop. They should be tall and have a graceful posture.
Al-Muhari stated, his robe shining white among clouds of dust.
These high standards have led many breeders to use banned Botox injections in order to inflate the lips of the camel, muscle relaxants to soften and silicone wax injections for expanding the hump.
Abdel Hadi Saleh, Festival spokesperson, declined to reveal how many participants were disqualified for plastic surgery this week. Before entering Al Dhafra Festival, all camels must pass rigorous medical examinations to check for artificial hormones or touch-ups.
Saleh stated that the number of cheaters has dropped since Emirati investigators started using sonar and X-ray systems a few decades ago.
He said, “We easily caught them, and they realize that getting caught is not worth the price to their reputation.”
There is a lot at stake. Al Dhafra Festival awards the top 10 winners of each category prizes that range from $1,300 up to $13,600. The Saudi main contest sees the most beautiful winning $66 million. Deals worth millions of dirhams see camels swap hands.
Breeders say it’s more than just about the money.
Saleh al Minhali, a 27-year old Abu Dhabi camel owner, said that “it is a part of our heritage and custom which the (Emirati rulers] revived.” He wore designer sunglasses over his Emirati headdress, and Balenciaga sneakers underneath his kandura (or Emirati tunic).
The days of camels being an integral part of daily life in the Federation of Seven Sheikhdoms are gone. This chapter was lost when oil wealth and global business transformed Dubai & Abu Dhabi into skyscraper-studded hubs filled with luxury hotels, marbled malls and buzzing nightclubs. Nearly nine out of ten foreigners in the country are more than locals.
Experts say that Emiratis are now looking for meaning in the echoes from the past, which include Bedouin traditions that existed before the UAE was established 50 years ago.
Rima Sabban (sociologist at Zayed University, Dubai) said that younger Emiratis with identity problems are returning to their heritage in search of a sense belonging. “The society has developed and modernized so quickly it creates an internal crisis.”
Camels race on old-world track in the Emirates. They still provide milk, meat, and an historic touchstone for citizens. There are festivals all over the country to celebrate the importance of the camel. Al Dhafra also includes falcon racing and dromedary dance, as well as a camel milking competition.
“People in Dubai might not think about them, but the young people here care deeply for camels,” stated Mahmoud Suboh (a festival coordinator from Liwa Oasis, at the northern edge the desert’s Empty Quarter). He has seen the fairgrounds grow from a remote desert outpost to an extravagant event that attracts camel lovers from all over the globe since 2008.
A dozen young Emirati men called themselves “camel influencers” and were filmed with the camels Wednesday to show the contest’s growing popularity. They broadcast live to thousands of their Instagram followers.
Digital likes were crucial this year as the coronavirus epidemic impacted tourism and caused a deterioration in festival attendance. Police made sure that all visitors had been given both vaccines, and they were negative for the virus. The authorities threatened fines if attendees didn’t adjust their masks. On Wednesday, there were very few foreigners and other spectators on the site.
The 10-day pageant’s categories are divided into two types: Majaheen, a darker Saudi Arabian breed, and Mahaliyat. Wednesday’s showcase was dominated by 5-year-old Majaheen camels.
Judges spent hours examining each camel and making notes about the body parts to help them score points. Breeders shouted at camels to show their long necks and get them excited.
The sun setting over the sands made it possible for the winners to receive their shiny trophies. Camels were presented with silver-lined shawls and gold-lined shawls down below in the dirt rings.
Mohammed Saleh bin Migrin al-Amri, who was holding four trophies including two golds, said that they were the first in their category.
He then jumped in his Toyota Land Cruiser. After the victory parade of grunting camels and honking SUVs, the desert dunes disappeared.
