Photos: Women's camel beauty contest makes debut in Saudi Arabia

The 40-day festival is an annual Bedouin event that lures breeders from across the Gulf

Published: January 12, 2022 14:48 Compiled by Nathaniel Lacsina, Senior Web Editor

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Rumah, Saudi Arabi: Saudi women, in a first for the conservative kingdom, have paraded their camels in a beauty pageant for the prized "ships of the desert". Image Credit: AFP

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"I hope today to reach a certain social standing, inshallah (God willing)," said Lamia al-Rashidi, 27, who participated at the weekend contest in the Rumah desert northeast of the capital Riyadh. Image Credit: AFP

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The event formed part of the prestigious King Abdelaziz Festival, was previously a men-only affair. Image Credit: AFP

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"I've been interested in camels ever since I was little," said Rashidi, whose family owns 40 camels. "Once this event was opened to women, I decided to participate," said the young woman, wearing a black face covering and with a colourful shawl over her shoulders. Image Credit: AFP

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The top five in the field of about 40 participants in the women's event went home with total prize money of one million riyals (about $260,000). Image Credit: AFP

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The camels' beauty is judged on several criteria, but the shape and size of the lips, neck and hump are the main attributes. In December, several participants were disqualified because their animals had undergone botox injections. Image Credit: AFP

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In a parade at the event on the red sand track of Rumah, women in black on horseback rode ahead of men in white robes on camels as male musicians, some with swords, danced to the beat of drums. Image Credit: AFP

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"Women have always been an integral part of Bedouin society. They owned and looked after camels," said Mohammed al-Harbi, a manager of the festival. Women's participation was in keeping with "the historical heritage" of Saudi Arabia, he told AFP. Image Credit: AFP

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Munira al-Mishkhas, another participant, chimed in: "Camels have been a part of us for a long time, but staging a contest for us (women) is a big step forward." Image Credit: AFP

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At just seven years old, Malath bint Enad was the youngest contestant and her animal won third prize. Her proud father, a 35-year-old camel dealer who said he owns more than 200 beasts, was very pleased with the entrance of women. Image Credit: AFP

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"This will increase enthusiasm for the festival and increase the value of the camels," said Enad bin Sultan, clad in traditional costume and red-and-white keffiyeh headdress. Image Credit: AFP

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The 40-day festival, which kicked off last month, is an annual Bedouin event that lures breeders from across the Gulf with total prize money of up to $66 million. Image Credit: AFP

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