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There is no doubt that the Middle East is one of the warmest regions in the world. The United Arab Emirates is no stranger to hot weather, with temperatures reaching a scorching 50 degrees Celsius during the summer. In such extreme conditions, it is difficult to imagine how an animal can survive. Sure, we have our air conditioning and refrigeration systems to help us, but what about the wildlife?
Surprisingly, many animals have already adapted to these harsh conditions. But, among all of them, there remains one animal that never needed to adapt: the camel. These creatures are perfectly adapted to survive and withstand the desert climate. With fat-storing humps, thick skin, and a unique ability to conserve water, camels walk through the desert like it’s just a walk in the park.
History of camels in the Arab world
Camels in Egypt and Qatar
Centuries ago, when the Middle East was just a land of dunes, life was hard in the desert. The Arabs depended on falcons for hunting, goats for milk, and sheep for wool. But camels, nicknamed the “ships of the desert”, became essential in the region. Long before Teslas and Ferraris roamed the streets, camels were the area’s quintessential means of transportation. From the Great Pyramids of North Africa to the dusty deserts of Dubai, camels have played a vital role in shaping the MENA region we know and love today. Thanks to their incredible endurance, adaptability and resilience, camels remain an important part of Middle Eastern culture, providing a vital source of nutrition, transportation and companionship to this day.
Importance in Emirati culture
Camels have been at the center of UAE life for decades and have become a symbol of the country’s heritage. In fact, the Crown Prince His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed Al Maktoum He is very fond of humpbacked animals, often seen at camel races, and shows his love for hoofed mammals on his social networks.
Animals have multiple useful and important qualities that make them stand out as the pillar of Emirati culture. Some of these include:
Food fountain
In the past, camels were one of the main sources of food for the Bedouins. Today, camel meat is a traditional Emirati delicacy and is still enjoyed by many in the region. Camel milk is also highly valued in the country and is considered very nutritious, being used to prepare coffee and chocolate.
Transport
Camel riding has been a big part of Emirati culture since long before the United Arab Emirates existed. With their great resistance to the desert climate and their ability to go weeks without food or water, camels have been essential for transportation and survival around the dunes.
Wool
Camel wool is known to be one of the most popular fabrics in the Emirates. Camel wool, used to make jackets, coats and even rugs, has helped Bedouins survive the region’s winter. Not only that, in ancient times, the Emiratis used camel wool to make tents that provided shelter from the harsh conditions of the desert. When mixed with a little dye and a little craftsmanship, camel wool can become a colorful expression of Emirati culture.
symbol of wealth
More camels, more money! For years, camels have been used as a symbol of status and wealth and even as a type of currency; Your wealth and money are directly proportional to the number of camels you own. At that time, camels were used to pay the obligatory annual charity fee, also known as zakatAnd even a bride’s dowry!
Entertainment
For centuries, camels have been an integral part of the culture and entertainment of Bedouin tribes. One of her favorite pastimes has been holding camel beauty pageants. This contest began in 1993 and has since become a major annual event. During these competitions, a panel of judges evaluates each camel on several criteria, including posture, coat quality, and overall appearance.
In addition to beauty contests, they also organize camel races, in which animals compete against each other to determine who is the fastest and most resistant among them.
Camel racing in Dubai
Although they appear to be slow animals, camels can run at speeds of up to 65 km per hour, making camel racing an exciting and exhilarating experience for both riders and spectators. And although it is considered an ancient sport, camel racing continues to thrive today. The sport has evolved over the years and today there are more than 15 camel racecourses in the country that have state-of-the-art facilities to ensure safety and entertainment. One of the largest and most popular camel racing circuits is located at the Dubai Camel Racing Club.
Here is your complete guide to Dubai Camel Racing Club!
Location
The Dubai Camel Racing Club is located in the Marmoom Desert Reserve. Al Marmoom Reserve, which occupies more than 10 percent of Dubai’s total area, is the largest nature reserve in the entire country. The more than 40 hectares of land is home to more than 158 species and several lakes, and even has the largest population of Arabian oryx and flamingos in the UAE. Al Marmoom Reserve is also home to the largest renewable energy project in the region: he Mohammed Bin Rashed Solar Park. So while the Dubai Camel Racing Club may be the main attraction, visitors also enjoy the reserve’s stunning natural beauty.
The place
Since the Marmoom Reserve occupies much of the city’s territory, there is no doubt that the camel racing track is long; The racecourse is actually one of the largest of its kind in the city. The venue hosts multiple racing circuits, from a simple 3km track to a full 15km.
Right next to the tracks, you can find a camel hospital and a camel laboratory. Evidently, the hospital treats sick or injured camels, while the laboratory performs diagnostic and treatment procedures.
Visitors can enjoy a full 360-degree view of their favorite camel during the race, with thousands of seats to choose from, just make sure you arrive on time before the seats fill up and don’t forget your binoculars for a better view. view. Even better, early birds can meet the camels and take photos with them before they hit the racetrack.
robot riders
Since 2002, the United Arab Emirates has banned child jockeys, which was a common and dangerous practice in the animal racing industry. Instead, they offered an alternative: robots!
The use of these robots not only benefits the camels but also the trainers. Of course, it’s much harder to win a race with an entire person sitting on your back. Therefore, these jockey robots are designed to be lightweight and agile, allowing the camels to reach their maximum speed without any additional load.
Jockey robots also allow trainers to train their camels remotely, away from any kind of danger. During the exciting race, coaches often follow their teammates in their SUVs down a back road to make sure everything is okay.
Without a doubt, jockeys have evolved since their inception more than twenty years ago. Today, robots not only serve as light riders, but now have built-in features like a GPS, a heart monitor, and even a walkie-talkie for trainers to talk to and give commands to the camels.
Events
Throughout the year, the DCRC hosts countless camel racing events. The venue’s scheduled events for this month are:
February 9, 2024 – Annual Hagagh Race for Tribal Members
February 10, 2024 – Laqaiya Race for Tribe Members | Laqaiya Race by Their Highnesses the Sheikhs
February 11, 2024 – Jatha’a race for tribal members | Jatha’a race by Their Highnesses the Sheikhs
February 17, 2024 – Thanaiya Race for Tribal Members | Thanaiya Race by Their Highnesses the Sheikhs
February 18, 2024 – Haul & Zumool Race for Tribal Members | Transport race and Zumool by Their Highnesses the Sheikhs
Contact
If you need more information from the source itself, all DCRC contact information is here!
- Telephone number: 04-718-8888
- Email: info@dcrc.ae
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