As part of the festival in El-Dafra, beauty competitions for camels take place, where it seems that they witness an eternal history of love between humans and animals. The owners of the camels showcase them in all their glory, emphasizing beauty and charm, passing down the legacy of ancient Arab culture. This unique event becomes a place where camel owners participate in contests and races, adorning their animals with the most exquisite accessories made of metal, leather, and fabric.
Preparation for such competitions begins long before, when camel owners provide them with elements of elegance and luxury. Special attention is given to the care of the animals: they are groomed with specialized tools, using natural oils to impart a natural sheen to the coat, carefully trimming it to accentuate the features of the camel's body structure. After the grooming procedures, the decoration process begins, transforming the camel into moving artistic creations.
Decorative elements, such as colorful ribbons around the neck and chest, tassels with jewels, and precious stones on the head, give the camels a regal appearance. The owners skillfully weave long braids and embellish them with metallic beads, producing ringing sounds during movement. On the spines of the animals, luxurious coverings are established, embroidered with golden or silver threads, adorned with patterns, inspired by traditions.
Mariam Al-Mazrui, a master in the embellishment of camels, notes: "Camel owners strive to choose the most beautiful and luxurious accessories to adorn their animals. We create decorative items by hand, using materials like silver, silk, velvet, and brocade, as well as various ribbons and braids." The price of these items can vary depending on the materials used, starting from 20 dirhams per meter of fabric or silk and reaching 3000 dirhams, while luxurious sets made of silver, including belts, harnesses, and headpieces, can reach up to 10,000 dirhams.
Camel decoration has become not only a matter for the owners but also a significant economic sector for traders in decorations. Abdulla Al-Amri, one of the camel owners, says: "Camel embellishments are exclusively artistic and commercial, where the decoration varies depending on the gender, type, and coloring of the camel, which only beautifies ancient traditions." Ultimately, camels become a symbol of aristocracy and beauty, and their embellishments remain a testament to the passion of the Arab person for their great heritage.
