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Source: Reuters
Ten golden-coloured camels adorned with sparkling ornaments line
up for the finale of a beauty contest in one of the UAE's northern
emirates, awaiting the selection of two proud winners.
Gulf Arabs from across the region gather in a large sandy plot in
Ajman to sit in for a four-hour competition, which will see the
selection of the best out of 150 camels every day.
The three-day spectacle should end with the top two finalists
bagging luxury cars, while a remaining eight win
cash.
In an effort to preserve the Gulf Arab country's cultural legacy, the government encourages camel rearing through funding and festivals where the desert animal is paraded for beauty, and sold in auctions.
The festival also serves as a meeting point for the country's
tribes, residing in the rural parts of the United Arab Emirates.
Tribesmen are paid by the government to rear camels and preserve a
pure lineage of the country's breeds.
"The UAE's heritage is linked to camels and this festival
emphasises this. Traditions and customs lie in maintaining our
history," said Saeed al-Aameri, who owns a large camel farm and is
a participant in the pageant.
The camels are judged on different criteria, depending on the
breed.
The body is divided into five sections, with 20 points each, to
mark beauty and elegance.
After the prettiest camels are selected, based on the length of
neck, curve of the humps, structure of the body, height and general
appearance, the camels' owners are sworn in to vouch for purity of
lineage and proprietorship.
"I swear that this camel is local, not hybrid...a pure breed and is
fully owned by me," said one of the finalists, standing beside his
camel.
At the auction, after the pageant, Gulf Arabs gather to place their
bids or sell for the highest price on offer.
Some camels could be sold for as much as 16 million dirhams ($6.3
million), said one participant.
The festival takes place three times a year in Ajman and Abu Dhabi,
said the event's executive director, Shalal Rzooqi al-Shimri,
adding the event was popular in countries including Oman, the UAE
and Qatar.
"With the festival, we want to encourage cultural tourism and
preserve our heritage," said Shimri.
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