Emirati buys camels worth Dh32 million
Camel sales have reached more than Dh60 million in the first two days of the ongoing Al Dhafra Festival in Zayed City, Al Gharbia
Abu Dhabi: Camel sales have reached more than Dh60 million in the first two days of the ongoing Al Dhafrah Festival in Zayed City, Al Gharbia (Western Region), an official said on Monday.
The 10-day festival organised by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) includes multiple activities reflecting the UAE's heritage. The core activity of the Festival is a camel beauty contest known locally as "Camel Mazayen".
Camel sales were active at 'Million's street' at the festival location, according to Hamad Kardous Al Ameri, member of the organising committee.
In pictures: Al Dhafrah festival
"The festival challenged the economic recession in its first days; camel sales are very active since the beginning of the festival which points to hot competition coming up between camel owners, more than last year," Al Ameri said.
Participants in the festival were talking about Emirati Hamdan Bin Ghanim Al Falahi who bought three camels on Sunday worth Dh24 million. The First camel worth Dh10 million, the second worth Dh9 million and the third worth Dh5 million. In addition to that, the same buyer bought other camels totalling Dh32 million.
Another participant sold his camel yesterday for Dh8.5 million.
The rise in camel sales reflects the interest of camel owners to support their camel troupes with the best and beautiful camels. This is particularly relevant as the festival has introduced for the first time the Al Bayraq lap, where each participant is required to participate with a group of 50 camels, and the grand prize for first winner for both Asayel and Majaheem camels is Dh1 million.
On the other hand, other activities at the festival grabbed the attention of thousands of visitors who experienced the UAE heritage closely in the unique traditional market.
"The festival succeeded in promoting the UAE's heritage and culture and put Al Dhafra on the world tourist map in a short time," said Salim Al Mazrouie, Director of the festival.
The third session of the festival, held under the patronage of General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, started on Saturday and will continue until February 8.
