Taif: Camel lovers and tourists from all over the globe have been flocking to the Taif camel square in Saudi Arabia to enjoy the grand elegance of the animal and to be part of the exciting events. Interestingly, this year, a record number of teams and camels have arrived from within the country, the Gulf region and other parts of the world to participate in the famed Crown Prince’s Camel Festival. The festival has been drawing crowds since its inception in 2018.
The thirty eight day long festival aims to promote the Kingdom’s camel racing culture and showcase the legendary Arab heritage to the world. Moreover, the festival is expected to boost the tourism sector and provide an impetus to the financial backbone of the country.
60,000 camels and exciting prizes
This year, a whopping 60,000 camels will be on display, vying to be crowned the quickest and attractive beings that navigate the desserts. The number of camels participating in the events have actually doubled this year, indicating an enhanced interest in the sport. Mafarid, Hakha, Lakhaya, Jadha, Tanaya, Heel, Samael and Saudaniyat are some of the varieties of camels displayed the festival.
The Crown Prince’s Camel Festival has entered the Guiness Book of World Records after parading more than 11,000 camels at the grand inaugural ceremony. There would be 589 racing events and spectacular prizes worth 56.25 million Riyal await the winners.
In the Saudi Arabian culture, camels are admired for its splendid beauty, agility and elegance. Even while the country is adopting modern ways of life, their love for the animal remains the same. The festival envisions to promote the unique Arab and Islamic culture that encourages camel races and to turn them into lucrative tourism prospects. Moreover, it aims to celebrate the social harmony and the national integrity of Saudi Arabia.
History and significance
The Crown Prince Camel Festival is touted as the biggest camel sporting event in the world. The country proudly displays its penchant for such culturally significant sporting events even while swiftly moving towards great economic development. Moreover, it shows Saudi Arabia’s ability to host high profile international sporting events by arranging fabulous infrastructure with perfection, within a short period of time.
The main aim of the camel festival is to boost the tourism sector and increase the economic activities while bringing the global community under the same roof. The impeccable cultural heritage of the country that is deep rooted in traditions is proudly displayed at these festivals. Besides, the tourism sector of the country is surely expected to gain significantly from such events. The festival, introduced in 2018, has since been attracting camel lovers and tourists from across the world.
Places to visit
Taif Camel Square
Those who wish to visit the famed tourist destination in August shouldn’t miss the Crown Prince Camel Festival. More than 10,000 camels take part in around 786 rounds of racing. The festival also holds the Guiness World Record for the biggest such event after 13,377 camels were paraded at the inaugural ceremony.
Sharurahpra
Head to the Sharurah village in the border area near Yemen to enjoy camel racing amid beautiful nature. The villagers and the tribesmen often conduct camel races here to attract tourists.
Jenadriyah, Riyadh
The two week long events held at the Jenadriyah Cultural and Heritage Festival celebrates the rich cultural heritage and traditions of Saudi Arabia. The tourists who visit the festival can enjoy the camel races as well as experience the beauty of traditional Saudi poetry, art and literature.
The history of camel racing
The camel races in Saudi Arabia dates back to seventh century. The races have been part of the Saudi Arabian culture since centuries. In the beginning, the races were conducted by the Bedouin tribe as a means of entertainment. However, later, it signified the great economic progression that the tribes have achieved by making camels the main means of transport in the extremely challenging terrains of the dessert.
The first official camel racing event was held in 1964 as part of the Heritage Festival. By 1975, camel racing became a fully fledged professional sporting event. Now, the rulers conduct huge festivals and events that carries hefty prize money and other attractive rewards.
Saudi Arabia hosts many camel festivals annually, including the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival and the Crown Prince Camel Festival.
In a standard race, the camels can gather a speed up to 65 kilometres. Camels play a pivotal role in the cultural heritage of the country. These animals are often celebrated for its amazing agility, looks and fame. The festival honours the unique traditions of the country while attracting visitors from all over the globe.
