The camel, or the so-called “Ship of the Desert”, is a vital part of the fabric of Omani Society, for it represents a deeply appreciated and highly valued tradition. In his book, The Arabian Sands, the renowned explorer and travel writer, Wilfred Thesiger stated: Many Englishmen have written about camels. When I open a book and see the familiar disparagement, the well-worn humour, I realize that the author’s knowledge of them is slight, that he has not lived among the Bedu, who know the camel’s worth: Ata Allah, or God’s gift, they call it, and it is the camel’s patience that wins the Arab’s heart. I have not seen a Bedu strike or ill-treat a camel. Always the camels’ needs come first. It is not only that the Bedu’s existence depends upon the welfare of his animals, but that he has a real affection for them.
From the inception of the Renaissance era under the far-sighted and wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, the Sultanate has adhered to the development process by striking a balance between traditions and modernization. His Majesty has paid undivided attention to the deep-rooted Omani heritage and saw to it that it is preserved for the generations to come so as to inculcate a sense of pride while enjoying the fruits of modernization.
To make this a vision a tangible reality His Majesty has set up many institutions such as the Ministry of Heritage and Culture, the Public Authority for Craft Industries, and many others. In addition, the year 1994 has been specified as the Year of Heritage.
The preparations involved in these races and the co-ordination of the authorities concerned with the Royal Camels Corps.
Types of camels that are participating in the race, and the arrangements involved
The camel racing is conducted over a period of two days in each selected Wilayat. On the first day there will be twelve rounds of races, according to the age of the camel participating in the festival.
The participating camels are of the following types:
1. Al Hajaiej ? aged less than three years, which is scheduled to compete for four rounds.
2. Lagaia ? ages three to four, scheduled to compete for four rounds.
3. Yadaa ? camels aged four to five years and scheduled to compete for one round.
4. Thanaia ? six years and scheduled to compete for one round.
5. Hawl ? six years and upwards, which is scheduled to compete for one round
6. Gadaan ? a young male camels from three years of age and scheduled to compete for one round .
As for the second day, when the actual competition takes place, the races are conducted under the auspices of the Wali of the hosting Wilayat. The competition itself consists of five rounds of racing. There are standard requirements for a person to be eligible to participate in this camel racing.
In a nutshell these requirements are as follows:
1. The camel with which he intends to participate ought to be of an Omani origin.
2. The camel should not be a cross-breed.
3. The camel owner should be an Omani.
4. The participant ought to be from the same Wilayat in which the camel racing is taking place.
Training Show Camels
Training begins at the age of two years and covers important aspects like, how to be guided, normal walking, how to be patient, integration with other camels, walking with other camels, sitting down and standing up, accustoming it to being ridden, training to walk unaccompanied and responding to spoken directions, strength training from running and synchronized show running with another camel.
Race Camels
The camel is shown how to walk and how to be guided by the rope with the help of an older, calmer, she-camel. After this, it is taught how to sit down and then the riding ‘era’ begins. The camel will be guided, taught how to walk and run with a she-camel and then how to run alone.
Winning camels are highly prized and can be sold for vast amounts of money – their value is comparable with racehorses in certain instances. For eg. A winning camel may be sold at R.O. 70000.000 to 85000.000 ( One Omani Rial is Rs. 116/- as per the current exchange rate)
Special Diet During this Racing period
During the racing season, each camel owner spends between RO200 and RO400 every month, on nutritive feeds and other essentials. It’s a small price to insure the health and well-being of animals worth upwards of RO50,000 each. In fact, it’s not the camel-breeders alone that gain from this multi-million riyal pursuit.
The demand for large quantities of fresh honey, dates, cow milk, ghee and fodder has translated into better incomes for local farmers in the Wilayat.
These Camels are not over fed so that they remain lighter and healthy.
The awards allotted for such racing
There are valuable prizes that are specified for the various races taking place in each selected Wilayat. The prizes range from cash prizes to cars. On the first day the top ten winners get certain amount of money. On the second day the winner who gets the first place in each of the five rounds gets a car as a prize, whereas those who come in the second place and the seventh place in each round are given cash prizes.
The Jockeys
The Jockeys basically are aged between 5 to 7 and are well trained. They are well protected with a metal jacket and a helmet to protect them from any injuries. Their training begins at a very early age wherein they are made to practice every two hours a day and may go up to 5 hrs just before the racing day.
The Training includes how to hold the rope, how to make them sit and stand and how to walk. These Jockeys are from the same family that owns the camel.
Camel Race Held Recently At Saham on 22-12-2005. (Photographs)
The Sixth annual race was recently held at the race track at Seeh Al Thayyibat in the Wilayat of Saham. This race was fully sponsored by the Ruler of Ajman (Emirate Of UAE) Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nayumi, with his council members. This race was also witnessed by General Ali bin Majid Al Mamari ? Royal affairs, along with Members of the Majlis Al Shura and State Council, Sheikhs, Walis and dignitaries of the Wilayat.
The Race commenced at 7.30 AM with a Quran Reading and followed by a cultural dance and poem recitals by different tribes. There were participant representation from all the Wilayats. Six rounds of races were held. From each round three winners were selected and the No.1 was presented by a Brand New Toyota Hilux Pickup while the other two winners were presented with cash prizes.
General Facts – Courtesy – The Times of Oman, Oman Tourism and Heritage.
Author: Deepak Pereira- Oman
