Camel Beauty Contest: The UAE’s Search For The Top Contender Continues At Al Dhafra Festival
The 17th edition of the Al Dhafra Festival returns to Abu Dhabi, in quest of a new reigning beauty champion
Camel Beauty Contest: Bazaar Arabia shares everything we know…
Camels are an integral part of Emirati culture, playing a crucial role in the daily activities of the Bedouins who once roamed the deserts, by providing transportation, food, and even companionship in the harsh environment. Today, camels continue to be a source of pride and honour for their owners, not only as symbols of tradition but also as participants in prestigious competitions and events that highlight their beauty, strength, and cultural significance.
In the midst of the sandy dunes of Abu Dhabi’s deserted landscapes, the annual Al Dhafra Festival celebrates the Bedouin lifestyle and preserves Emirati culture by holding community events that educate and uplift age-old traditions. This year, the festival will run from October 21, 2023, to February 8, 2024, and will take place near Madinat Zayed, which is the largest town in the Al Dhafra Region of Abu Dhabi and serves as the ancestral home of the Bani Yas tribe, of which the ruling Al Nahyan family are members.
Camel Beauty Contest: All The Details
At the heart of the festival are the mazayna, or camel beauty contests that feature thousands of camels from across the Arabian Peninsula and focus on purebred breeds from the Asayel (pedigree) and Majaheem (dark-skinned) lineages.
In the upcoming edition, the competition will comprise an astonishing 361 rounds, with each round dedicated to evaluating a multitude of criteria, including the camel’s eye and head size, the length of its eyelashes and neck, and the complexion and texture of its coat, all in pursuit of finding the most deserving winner.
Previously, camels that have ranked well in Al Dhafra’s beauty contests have been auctioned off for exuberant rates. According to a report by Arabian Business, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, purchased a camel for 10 million dirhams in 2008 following its success in the beauty competition.
Other competitions at Al Dhafra Festival include Arabian horse racing, Sulki dog racing, and even a beauty contest for sheep.
Photography By Michael Sheller. Styling By Hussy Elceliemy. Model: Sohaila Kandil. Hair: Mostafa Hani. Make-Up: Diana Harby. Stylist’s Assistant: Borna Prikaski
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s October 2023 issue.