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Camel Racing



Camel racing is similar to horse racing and is especially popular among the Arabs of the Arabian Peninsula. It is an official, professional sport that includes track facilities, specialized farms to raise camels, and intensive training programs. Camel racing has evolved into a sport that uses new technologies.

The tradition of camel racing dates back to Medieval times and can be traced to the Arabian Peninsula, where it was a folk sport played at social gatherings and festivals. Camels have always played an integral part in UAE traditions and practices, and the practice of camel racing is a popular social practice in the communities concerned.

Racing camels involves several stages. Camels are selected based on their type, origin, and age, and they are fed a special diet. The camels are put on the racetrack in groups, and they are trained to take part in the races. The races are held on specially designed fields under the supervision of community committees.

Between fifteen and twenty racing camels take part in each round, and the distance of racing is based on the age of the camel. There are local customs, traditions, and principles that govern the races, and an organization is set up to verify the origins of the camels.

Camel racing is a fundamental part of the nomadic lifestyle and a source of inspiration in poetry and singing. The related knowledge and skills are transmitted by a number of organizations, including community representatives, local governments, specialized centers, and racing and club organizations.

Children and young people gradually acquire the knowledge and skills related to the practice through observation, simulation, and oral expression. Camels play a significant role in the desert environment, which explains their importance and continuity in Bedouin society which considers camels to be status symbols.

Camels were a source of food for Bedouins who lived off camel meat and milk. In the past, there were no cars or other modes of transportation and so they were used to transport supplies from one place to another. Similarly, camel wool was quite popular among nomads as well. They used it to make clothes, rugs, and tents. In fact, an Arab square cotton scarf is known as Agal.

In the past, Bedouin tribes organized races and beauty contests for camels as a form of entertainment. Today, this tradition is preserved, with many races taking place throughout the UAE under the patronage of the ruling Sheikhs.


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