Competition fierce at Al Dhafra Festival
Western Region event offers Dh35m in prizes
ABU DHABI // The 10th Al Dhafra Festival, being held in the Western Region until December 29, is offering prizes valued at Dh35 million for a series of heritage competitions.
Organisers said they expected more than 1,500 participants and at least 25,000 camels to enter the competitions to vie for one of 1,200 prizes on offer. “We added two competitions to the festival this year – falcon beauty and saluki beauty – to answer calls of owners in the Western Region,” said Abdullah Butti Al Qubaisi, director of projects management and communication at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee – Abu Dhabi.
The camel milk competition, inspired by the Bedouin tradition of keeping and caring for the animals, was the first contest staged at the festival.
Hundreds took part in one of three categories: Asayel (golden- red camel breed, native to Oman), Majahim (the black camel of Saudi Arabia) and hybrids. The camels producing the most and best-tasting milk this year shared prizes with a total value of Dh1 million. Each winning camel produced more than 10 litres of milk. A sour milk contest for the product known locally as laban was also held.
“We have achieved a lot in the past 10 years. Through Al Dhafra Festival we have created a platform for the UAE citizens and residents to express their pride for the UAE heritage and continue to preserve it and pass it on to their children,” said Mr Al Qubaisi.
There are beauty competitions for falcons and salukis at this year’s festival