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By Saleh Abdullah al Khamyasi

THE Director-General of Royal Camels Corps and one of their Excellencies the Wali distributing prizes to the winners

THE camel, or the so-called “the Ship of the Desert”, is a vital part of the fabric of Omani Society, for it represents a deeply appreciated and highly valued tradition. In his book, The Arabian Sands, the renowned explorer and travel writer, Wilfred Thesiger stated: Many Englishmen have written about camels. When I open a book and see the familiar disparagement, the well-worn humour, I realise that the author’s knowledge of them is slight, that he has not lived among the Bedu, who know the camel’s worth: Ata Allah, or God’s gift, they call it, and it is the camel’s patience that wins the Arab’s heart. I have not seen a Bedu strike or ill-treat a camel. Always the camels’ needs come first. It is not only that the Bedu’s existence depends upon the welfare of his animals, but that he has a real affection for them. Often I have watched my companions fondling and kissing them whilst they murmured endearments.

From the inception of the Renaissance era under the far-sighted and wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, the Sultanate has adhered to the development process by striking a balance between traditions and modernisation. His Majesty has paid undivided attention to the deep-rooted Omani heritage and saw to it that it is preserved for the generations to come so as to inculcate a sense of pride while enjoying the fruits of modernisation. To make this a vision a tangible reality His Majesty has set up many institutions such as the Ministry of Heritage and Culture, the Public Authority for Craft Industries, and many others. In addition, the year 1994 has been specified as the Year of Heritage.

In his Royal Speech commemorating that occasion His Majesty reiterated: We have maintained and preserved our identity and intellectual inheritance, and we have adopted every means for development and modernisation. It has been very clear to us that our heritage is not only represented by forts, castles and ancient buildings, but by spiritual customs and traditions, by science, art and literature, transmitted from one generation to another.

The real preservation of heritage will not be accomplished unless we understand this, and cherish it. With God’s help we have succeeded in the past years in achieving the greater part of this noble national goal. In its constant efforts to provide the readers with glimpses of Omani culture, the Observer met with Shaikh Ali bin Mubarak al Mukhaini, the Director-General of the Royal Camel Corps, at the Royal Court Affairs, to shed light on the first Annual Camel Racing Festival which took place on October 8. The Camel Racing Festival resumes again tomorrow, December 3, and will continue until March 26, 2004.

The Director-General welcomed our invitation. Here are excerpts from our conversation with him: Would you kindly highlight the role assigned to the Royal Camel Corps?

The Royal Camel Corps is shouldering the task of rendering the needed care and supervision for the private camels of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos in terms of preparing suitable food for them and taking care of their health in general, as well as the training and grooming programmes. This is in addition to popularising the sport of camel racing and spreading awareness amongst the camel owners about it. Therefore, we monitor the development that takes place within the international, regional, as well as local levels about camels.

What was the idea behind the First Annual Camel Racing Festival?

This annual festival comes as a royal grant, which is a gesture of generosity from His Majesty the Sultan. This is an indication of his care for the camel owners and those who are involved in rearing them. The idea is to encourage them and give the needed attention to this part of our valuable heritage and help in preserving the original breeds of Omani camels. This year’s camel racing festival will include 11 wilayats within the various governorates and regions in the Sultanate. The first stage of this year’s camel races included the wilayats of Jaalan Bani Bu Hassan, Jaalan Bani Bu Ali and Al Kamil Wa’al Wafi in the Sharqiyah region. In addition to Wilayat of Thamrait in the Governorate of Dhofar , as well as the Wilayat of Ibri in Dhahirah Region. It is also worth mentioning that there will be a final racing session that will take place during the March 25 and 26, 2004 in Al Felaij, in the Wilayat of Barka.


What are the preparations involved in these races and who are the authorities concerned with whom you had to co-ordinate?

The Royal Camels Corps was really honoured to be assigned the task of organising and supervising the annual camel racing festival, therefore, several committees were formulated to take care of the various functions involved to make the event a success. In this regard we had to co-ordinate with the offices of the excellencies and the walis in the wilayats scheduled to host the races. There is constant contact and co-operation between us and the Oman Equestrian and Camel Federation.

Give us an idea about the types of camels that are participating in the race. And the arrangements involved?

The camel racing is for two days in each selected wilayat. On the first day there will be twelve rounds of races, according to the age of the camel participating in the festival. The participating camels are of the following types:
1. Al Hajaiej — aged less than three years, which is scheduled to compete for four rounds.
2. Lagaia — ages three to four, scheduled to compete for four rounds.
3. Yadaa — camels aged four to five years and scheduled to compete for one round.
4. Thanaia — six years and scheduled to compete for one round.
5. Hawl — six years and upwards, which is scheduled to compete for one round
6. Gadaan — a young male camels from three years of age and scheduled to compete for one round

As for the second day, when the actual competition takes place, the races are conducted under the auspices of the wali of the hosting wilayat. The competition consists of five rounds of racing. Let me elaborate that there are standard requirements for a person to be eligible to participate in this camel racing. In a nutshell these requirements are as follows:

1. The camel with which he intends to participate ought to be of an Omani origin.
2. The camel should not be a cross-breed.
3. The camel owner should be an Omani.
4. The participant ought to be from the same wilayat in which the camel racing is taking place.

The first stage of the races included the wilayats in Sharqiyah, Dhahirah as well as the Governorate of Dhofar. Which are the venues of the forthcoming races? And what is your evaluation about the races which took place in the first stage?
The forthcoming camel racing sessions are due to resume again after Ramadhan. The fourth camel racing session will start in the Wilayat of Al Musanah in Al Batinah Region on December 3. The remaining sessions will include wilayats such as Haima, Adam, Al Mudhaibi, Mahoot, Saham, Al Sinainah, Bidaya and eventually end up in Barka.
As for our evaluation for the first stage of this year’s camel racing festival, we think it was by all means a grand success. It incorporated a wide range of participants, strong competition among the participants and to add flavour to all that there was a distinguished crowd of fans.

Are there other organisations involved in the task of caring for the camels in addition to the Royal Camels Corps and do they organise camel races?

Naturally, because the importance of camels goes deep into the fabric of our society. As you know the camels were the means of transport in the past, not to mention that they provide their owners with a steady diet of fresh milk. It is also worth mentioning that the camel is one of the few species that can withstand the rigours of desert travel. Omani camels, in particular are known to be the best breed of camels in the area.
Therefore, we have the Oman Equestrian and Camel Federation, which is directly under the chairmanship of His Highness Sayyid Asaad bin Tareq al Said who has a genuine interest and gives undivided attention to this sport. This Federation is considered a legislative body where laws and regulations to streamline the activities of this sport are formulated. In this context let me add that we at the Royal Camels Corps enjoy a full-fledged co-ordination and co-operation with this Federation in the line of our specialty.

Tell us about the awards allotted for such racing?

There are valuable prizes that are specified for the various races taking place in each selected wilayat. The prizes range from cash prizes to cars. On the first day the top ten winners get certain amount of money. On the second day the winner who gets the first place in each of the five rounds gets a car as a prize, whereas those who come in the second place and the seventh place in each round are given cash prizes.

How do such festivals enhance tourism in Oman?

There is no doubt that such festivals reflect the peculiarity of the Omani society, especially that Oman is an oasis of outstanding natural beauty and culture. Hence such events help in boosting the tourism sector. Seeing the camel riders atop their magnificent camels is a breathtaking experience, because before coming to Oman the tourists might have not seen such a sight except on their screen. I am sure, the tourists will enjoy watching camel racing and ask about the norms and rituals involved in such unique events. At the same time their presence to watch the sport is by itself a golden opportunity to explore the various wilayats in the Sultanate. It is an opportunity to enjoy the geographical characteristics of Oman which combine the mountain, the desert, the plain and the sea which in turn are blended to constitute a versatile culture.

Anything else you would like to add as a last word?

We appreciate such interaction on the part of the Oman Daily Observer. It is certainly an opportunity to inform the English-speaking community about this part of the Omani culture. It reflects that the modernisation process is being adhered to in a balanced formula within which the traditions are given due attention and importance. Indeed this benevolent gesture through which His Majesty the Sultan always sets an example, was met with a positive feedback. The camels owners feel that they are really honoured, therefore, they in return for this noble gesture, pray to Allah to shelter their Sultan with good health, long life and prosperity.

From Oman Observer, 2nd December 2003