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29 March 2024

Camel sales touch Dh60m at festival

The festival includes activities that reflect the UAE's heritage. (SUPPLIED)

Published
By Staff Writer

Camel sales have touched Dh60 million in the first two days of the Al Dhafra Festival being held at Zayed City in Abu Dhabi's Western Region, according to an official.

The 10-day festival, organised by Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (Adach), includes various activities that reflect the UAE's heritage. The core activity of the festival is a camel beauty contest known locally as "Camel Mazayen".

Camel sellers were doing brisk business on Millions Street at the festival's venue, according to Hamad Kardous Al Ameri, a member of the organising committee.

"The festival has challenged the economic recession the very day it began; camels have sold in large numbers since its beginning, pointing to hot competition between camel-owners – even more than last year," said Al Ameri.

Participants at the festival were talking about Hamdan bin Ghanim Al Falahi, a UAE national, who bought three camels on Sunday worth Dh24m. The first camel came for Dh10m, the second for Dh9m and the third for Dh5m. In addition, Al Falahi also bought other camels for a total price of Dh32m.

And if the buyers are shelling out huge amounts, the sellers are laughing all the way to the bank. A participant, who refused to be named, sold his camel yesterday for Dh8.5m.

The festival too has introduced a first-of-its kind "Al Bayraq lap" where each participant is required to parade with a group of 50 camels. The grand prize for both Asayel and Majaheem camels is Dh1m.

The festival also has other activities that have attracted thousands of visitors to experience the UAE's heritage closely in a unique traditional environment.

 

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