'The camel is a symbol, gives a feeling that cannot be described,' - UAE breeders compete in festival

Record ID: 1765004

  • Title: 'The camel is a symbol, gives a feeling that cannot be described,' - UAE breeders compete in festival
  • Date: 7th February 2024
  • Summary: ABU DHABI, UAE (FEBRUARY 2, 2024) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF CAMELS PARTICIPATING IN AL DHAFRA FESTIVAL VARIOUS OF EMIRATI CAMEL BREEDER AND WINNER OF THE BEAUTY PAGEANT, RASHID ALI AL-MANSOORI TAKING PART IN THE FESTIVAL, ON HIS PHONE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) EMIRATI CAMEL BREEDER AND WINNER OF THE BEAUTY PAGEANT, RASHID ALI AL-MANSOORI, SAYING: "Today… the prize is for the best [camel] breed of those born last year, so we are taking part in this [competition]. We have breeds who were born this year, as for next year's [festival edition] - they are still calves who are growing. I am among the competitors, and I promise that we will win this year and the next." VARIOUS OF MANSOORI'S CAMELS TAKING PART IN THE FESTIVAL'S BEAUTY PAGEANT
  • Embargoed: 21st February 2024 14:56
  • Keywords: Abu Dhabi Camel Contest UAE
  • Location: ABU DHABI, UAE
  • City: ABU DHABI, UAE
  • Country: UAE
  • Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Middle East
  • Reuters ID: LVA002860607022024RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Camels worth large sums of money waddled in the UAE desert as owners took part in the country's annual Al Dhafra Festival, a celebration of Emirati Bedouin tradition and culture, in Abu Dhabi.
    Crowned in beauty, seventeen camels owned by Emirati breeders were presented during the festival's beauty pageant.
    Longtime camel breeder, Rashid Ali Al-Mansoori, watched three of his camels, named Fazaa, Misk and Azayem, compete and win.
    "Winning is symbolic and a feeling that cannot be described," said Mansoori.
    Mansoori has been breeding camels since 2005, and has taken part in international competitions, including one in Qatar, during which he won first place.
    The festival aims to support heritage preservation projects and enable camel owners to sustain the practice of breeding and caring for camels.
    "It aims to create a commercial market in between camel traders, to also preserve camels, purebreds, and to teach the new generation about their ancestors," said manager of Al Dhafra festival, Mohammed Abdullah Muhairi.
    Camels reflect traditional aspects of UAE's cultural heritage. For Bedouins, it used to be considered essential, used for centuries for food and transport.
    "With oil or without it, the country won't be affected, because a camel will become our vehicle, source of yoghurt, meat, it becomes your economy," said Mansoori.
    The 17th edition of the Al Dhafra festival is part of the camel mazayna season in Abu Dhabi, and has been running since 21 October 2023 and will go on until 8 February 2024.
    (Production: Abdelhadi Ramahi, Abir Al Ahmar)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2024. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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