SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi festival is devoted to finding the most beautiful goat in the Arab Gulf

Record ID: 188712

  • Title: SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi festival is devoted to finding the most beautiful goat in the Arab Gulf
  • Date: 15th June 2008
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) EVENT ORGANISER MOHAMMED BAABTAIN SAYING: ''This contest dates back to the old days when the hobby first started in the Kingdom. After a few years, a group of Saudis adopted the contest and organised it several times, evidently finding success, and it elevated the level of the hobby.''
  • Embargoed: 30th June 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Saudi Arabia
  • Country: Saudi Arabia
  • Topics: Environment / Natural World
  • Reuters ID: LVA6NN8C9PY83X6I8O3RN6Q19O4Y
  • Story Text: With goats historically forming an important part of Arab nomadic economy and traditional lifestyle, a festival held in the Saudi Kingdom is devoted to finding the most beautiful Damascene goat in the Arab Gulf.
    A festival dedicated to finding the most beautiful Damascene goat drew goat breeders and livestock merchants to the Saudi capital Riyadh. The Mazayen al-Maaz -- or "Beautiful Traits of Goats" -- festival saw the display of dozens of Damascene goats, which, in Saudi Arabia, can fetch their owners up to 250,000 Saudi Riyals (almost 67,000 US Dollars -- USD).
    The most prestigious animal to be bred, groomed and auctioned in the Gulf country is the Arabian Horses, but goats, including the Damascene goat with its distinctive protruding nose, have historically played a crucial role in traditional Arab nomadic lifestyle and economy.
    In Riyadh alone, there are three goat markets where bidders and auctioneers meet once a month to trade the animal.
    The Mazayen al-Maaz festival, which draws enthusiasts from around the Arab Gulf, has developed and grown over the years. It now includes a beauty contest as well as auctions to sell some of the animals on display.
    ''This contest dates back to the old days when the hobby first started in the Kingdom. After a few years, a group of Saudis adopted the contest and organised it several times, evidently finding success, and it elevated the level of the hobby,'' said Mohammed Baabtain, the event's organizer.
    Goats on display at the festival were flown in from across the Gulf region and assessed for trait considered to enhance the goat's beauty.
    ''We came to Riyadh as participants and supporters of our brothers who practice this hobby. I have been involved in this hobby for over 30 years and I ask God to give us all success. This hobby is not inferior to the breeding of the original Arabian Horse,'' said Kuwaiti participant, Salah al-Ghaith.
    A judging panel critiques every feature, from face to legs.
    Exceptionally "beautiful" goats are valued at 30,000 Saudi Riyals (almost US 8,000 USD) and above.
    ''The judging concentrates on the goat's facial features, general traits, legs, and overall figure, the whole composition really. There is no body part which overshadows the other. However, in the first instance, the face is the most important. The Damascene goat is predominantly judged by its face,'' said Mohammed al-Umair, member of judging panel.
    Although breeding Damascene goats can be a lucrative trade, some owners are not necessarily in it for the money. The owner of the winner of Friday's (June 13) contest in Riyadh sold the goat but re-bought it in an auction.
    ''Regarding tonight's achievement, I sold my goat when he was young for 75,000 Riyals (almost 20,000 US Dollar), and its new owner auctioned it for 150,000 Riyals (almost 40,000 US Dollar). We bought it back to our ownership, Thank God. Now, even if it were worth half a million, we won't sell it,'' said Mohammed al-Hawasi, owner of Friday's winning goat.
    While tremendous oil wealth has brought rapid modernisation to the desert state of Saudi Arabia, the breeding and auctioning of livestock remains an important tradition in the Kingdom.
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