Rajasthan Camel Festival
13-14 January 2006
Camel Festival Information - Bikaner
The Camel Festival is an event organized in Bikaner by the Department of Tourism, Art and Culture, Government of Rajasthan, every year in the month of January. Desert region's Folk dances and Music, add on to what is otherwise an exclusive camel affair. A festival when the ships of the desert are seen at their best. Camels fascinate tourists from all over the world with their movements, charm and grace. A spectacle of unusual camel performances: camel races, camel dances, and the bumpy, neck shaking camel rides.
Activities
The festival starts with the procession of beautifully decorated camels. The procession heads towards the open sand grounds. Here, the festivities begin in earnest. The Camel Pageant is held on the first day wherein the camel owners show off their Camels' decorations and jewellery. Camel dance performances are also held. A competition for best decorated camel, fur cutting design, camel milking and the best camel hair cut is organized The camels display amazing footwork, dancing gracefully to the slightest direction of their drivers. Colourful bridles, bejewelled necks, jingling anklets and long, lanky camel shadows on dusky sands, cast a magical spell.
In this festival tea and sweets prepared by camel milk are made available to the visitors interested in enjoying them.
On the second day, the fleetest camels of the region take part in the camel races. The competition is fierce as the best camels vie for the honors. Thousands of excited tourists and locals cheer the favorites.
On both days, the evening ends with a rendezvous with the renowned folk artists of Rajasthan. The jubilant, skirt swirling dances, the awe inspiring fire dances and many other equally interesting performances entertain the visitors. The grand finale is a magnificent display of fireworks which illuminates the desert city of Bikaner.
History & Places to see
Situated in the heart of the desert belt, Bikaner was always an inaccessible land. Before the advent of modern motor vehicles, the survival of the people of this region depended on the 'Ship of the desert' - the Camel. The camels of this region were famous for their endurance as well as their strength and beauty.
In fact, the Bikaner army had an elite camel corps called the Ganga Risala which took active part in both the World Wars. The Ganga Risala was a Camel unit in the army even after the independence and it took part in Indo-Pak wars. Bikaner also boasts of the only Camel breeding center in India.
Camel can still be seen pulling heavy loads on carts in this region. With such a long association with Camels, it is but natural that the Department of Tourism, Art and Culture chose to hold the Camel festival in Bikaner.
Country: Rajasthan
Location: Bikaner
Climate: 45C - 9C
Reach There: Train/Road
Nearest Airport: Jodhpur Airport
Tourist Reception Centre:RTDC Hotel Dhola Maru, Bikaner.
Tel No.:+91-151-2544125
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Pushkar Camel Fair
12-15 November 2005
Pushkar Fair Information - India
The peaceful lakeside town of Pushkar is filled to bursting once a year during this unmissable event. Originally intended to attract local camel and cattle traders to do business during the three days of the Katrik Purnima festival, the Pushkar Camel Fair has grown into a major tourist attraction.
Indians flock with their camels to the small town on the edge of the Thar Desert a week in advance of the festival, which officially lasts for the three days of the full moon. The highlight of the fair is undoubtedly the camel racing, which takes place amidst singing and folkdancing in the amphitheatre. In addition, camels, sporting ornamental saddles and headresses and adorned with ribbons, are bought and sold. Although the fair is traditionally a sideline to the main Hindu festival, the carnival atmosphere makes the event accessible to all.
As well as being able to ride on camels or in carts, it is also possible to arrange camel treks into the surrounding desert with, well, just about anyone that you meet in Pushkar. At festival time the streets are overrun with tourists, travellers, hawkers, painted and bizarrely contorted sadhus (holy men), children, animals and bicycles - all of Indian life concentrated in one mass, funnelled through the narrow streets to the showground on the outskirts. All manner of delicious foods are available from countless vendors, and there's even a funfair of sorts.
For a break from the madness, visit either of the hill-top temples which guard the town and give a stunning view of the sunset. Each is only a short walk away. Alternatively, Pushkar's holy lake is beautiful, especially at night as you dine in a lakeside restaurant - visiting during the day allows you to view ritual pujas, or fall prey to the rent-a-gurus who line the ghats (steps).
Once the festival is over, life in Pushkar returns to normal. The town is peaceful and, without hordes of people, a very beautiful place to stay - countless hotels have rooftops on which to soak up the sun and enjoy the sight of locals flying kites high over the town and surrounding hills, vying for supremacy.
Pushkar, therefore, offers the best of both worlds. During the festival it is a vibrant, energetic, utterly absorbing example of everything that India can offer. Afterwards, if it has all been too much, just stay where you are!
Country: India
State: Rajasthan
Town: Pushkar
Contact Details:India Tourist Office
Ministry of Tourism, Transport Bhavan, 1 Parliament St, New Delhi 110 001, India.
Phone: +91 (0) 11 371 8379
Fax: +91 (0) 11 371 0518
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Camel Racing
Information and Resource Guide to Camel Racing
| The purpose of this site is to provide the interested reader with a comprehensive and informative source on the sport of camel racing. |
Site Index
General Introduction
International Camel Racing and Betting
United Arab Emirates
Australia
Betting
Camel Racing Information
Training Process of Racing Camels
Racing Camel Upkeep in the Gulf Region
Breeds of Racing Camels in the Arabian Peninsula and East Africa
Important Characteristics of Racing Camels
General Introduction
Camel racing is a deep-rooted traditional sport that finds its origins in the desert culture of the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, and the Middle East. Camels, commonly referred to as "ships of the desert," have for thousands of years played a vital role in the region, influencing every aspect of daily life. Beyond providing transportation, food, and shelter, the camel also served as a means of entertainment, celebration, and competition on festivals and special occasions. Races would take place at such events, which were generally more for show than competition. Competitive races would typically take place as a result of a challenge among camel owners, therefore requiring preparation that differed from the show races.
For centuries, the desert way of life remained unchanging, which included the high socio-economic importance of the camel. With the oil boom, parts of the region transformed and many aspects of traditional life disappeared. The camel maintained its symbolic significance while technology replaced the practical need for the animal. With the advent of wealth, the affected nations were introduced to Western lifestyle, technology, and luxury. The force of such powerful changes caused the gradual disappearance of time-honored traditions and customs, which awakened a sense of urgency when people realized their proud and rich history was fading away. The importance of holding on to those traditions that characterized the spirit of the region was revived, which included camel racing.
As a result, camel racing became a very popular pastime, developing into a much more formalized and professional form of racing which includes specialized breeding, intensive training programs, and technique. The rise of camel racing's popularity can be seen as well in other parts of the world where the race has also begun to draw in sizeable crowds of spectators and influential patrons. The sport continues to grow and develop, spreading and gaining recognition in regions where camels are not generally common.
International Camel Racing
United Arab Emirates
The president of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed, endorses camel racing and provides financial support for citizens who are caretakers of camels. Camel races take place on an annual basis, mostly during the late October to early April racing season and periodically throughout the year. The races generally take place on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays throughout the winter season or on 5-day races held in the UAE's larger centers. Two races are the norm, with the morning race beginning at 7:30 AM and the afternoon race at 2:30 PM.
The UAE has 15 racetracks across the country with spacious and well-kept stadiums for viewers. They are located on city outskirts, complete with rest tents, connecting roads, electricity, water, telephone lines, equipment for live television and radio broadcasts, a team of doctors, stand-by ambulances, and print transmission capabilities. Race distances vary between 4 to 10 kilometers and may include anywhere from 15 to 70 camels or more. The lifting of the large, multi-strand barrier signifies the beginning of the race. At the racetracks, dress is casual, admission is free, and many serve light beverages. Binoculars are suggested and it is important to note that cameras are not permitted at the racetracks.
Camel racing is supported by the highest levels of UAE society, with President Zayed owning a personal stable consisting of 14,000 camels and 9,000 workers for their upkeep. Sheikh Mohammed, the Defense Minister of the UAE, owns 2,000 camels and maintains a reputation of his own for high performance on the racetracks. At the Nad al Sheba racetrack, the morning races consist primarily of camels owned by sheikhs, whereas the afternoon races are open to all. Sheikhs have been known to buy camels from owners who have won the afternoon races, offering large sums of money to acquire the victorious camel.
Over the past 20 years, camel racing in the UAE gained more structure and prominence through increased interest in the sport and organization. Just in the 1990's, 12 new tracks were built to meet the rising widespread demand for camel racing. The sheiks of the UAE have invested large sums of money into the development of camel racing throughout the Emirates, in addition to putting cash into the buying and training of camels in order to participate themselves in the races. Their interest and dedication led to the First International Camel Conference, which drew specialists from all over with the primary goal of increasing racing camel performance.
Currently, there are approximately 14,000 active racing camels in the UAE, which require large numbers of people to maintain them and keep them in top condition. Workers to tend the camels many times come from neighboring states such as Pakistan and Oman since the sport provides both indirect and direct financial support for thousands of people due to its popularity as a national pastime. Many trainers take their camels and race in other countries, such as Qatar, which have extended racing seasons beyond the UAE season.
Camel jockeys in the past were young boys between the ages of 6 and 7, weighing approximately 20 kilograms so as not to weigh down the camel. This became an international issue in addition to the trafficking of child jockeys from different countries for the race. To fight the problem, the UAE government issued a ban on child jockeys who are less than 15 years of age and weigh less than 45 kilos. Camel jockeys must carry with them government issued identification cards, which can be acquired after passing examinations by specially appointed doctors to ensure that the child is of racing age and has not been taken from a foreign country by owners claiming to be parents.
Betting on the races is illegal in the UAE, but winners receive many different prizes, many times in the form of luxury cars. Very successful racing camels are worth millions of dollars and the most coveted prize is winning the King's Cup in Dubai.
Australia
Camel racing in Australia began as a result of large imports of camels that began in the 1840's and continued until the early 1900's for the main purpose of providing transportation across the continent. With advancements in technology, camels lost their relative value and many were released or escaped, eventually forming the largest wild camel population in the world estimated at around 200,000 camels.
The camel racing industry in Australia began as more of a tourist attraction rather than a professional sport and has been successful the past thirty years in doing just that. Events such as the Alice Springs Camel Cup have steadily brought in larger and larger crowds of spectators to their racetracks and the idea of camel racing has spread throughout the continent.
The year 1990 brought several developments in the sport through contacts with the UAE camel racing industry. Races in Australia were originally quarter mile events and therefore the camels were not capable of participating in international races that were much more arduous. Camel owners witnessed the increasingly profitable camel racing industry in the UAE and realized that in order to achieve similar profits, it was necessary to revolutionize the industry. The expansive feral camel population in Australia offered the chance to transform camel racing in the country to a lucrative international business by formalizing and reorganizing the sport, in addition to developing more advanced training programs that mirrored those in Middle Eastern countries.
Since the transformation, the popularity of camel racing has grown exponentially as well as the prize money offered. Commercial sponsors have gotten involved and helped publicize the sport to the public. Major races include Alice Springs and Boulia Desert Sands. The races are promoted by several camel racing associations and are geographically dispersed throughout the continent with a separate racing circuit in Queensland.
Betting on the races is generally allowed by the government in Australia because of the institution of a microchip identification system, which guarantees the identity of the animal. The system allows for better regulation and therefore legal betting can take place.
In Australian camel racing, jockeys are mostly women and less emphasis is placed on weight an age in contrast to professional camel racing countries such as the UAE. Australian camels are also much slower than Arabian camels due to genetic differences and a general lack of specified breeding programs. Only recently, Australian camel racing organizations have been advancing in the direction of selective breeding and the use of DNA studies.
The associations tied to camel racing have different stances on race rules and procedures, which makes the prospect of governmental and nationwide established standards not very likely. Differences between the associations include issues such as whether or not the races should be on grassy surfaces or sand, near major centers or in the outback. In any case, the camels have not yet reached levels where they can effectively compete in Arabian camel races.
As mentioned earlier, camel racing in Australia takes place on much shorter racetracks. Studies have shown that the speed Australian camels can reach in these quarter mile races is very high, but Arabian camels can maintain a fairly high speed for extended distances. The UAE government supports Australian camel racing and invites racing enthusiasts to observe UAE techniques. Trainers are working on developing the Australian camel's ability to race on lengthy tracks to compete in other camel races around the world.
Betting in the UAE and Australia
For the camel racing enthusiast, it is very important to be aware that Australia permits betting on the races, whereas the UAE does not.
Australia betting on camel racing can also be done through online wagering services in addition to standard betting procedures. Online betting is very secure due to high-level encryption devices. Races can be viewed through media or live.
Betting is only allowed on camels with microchip identification to ensure the legality of the betting process. In Australia, it is generally advised to bet on the favorite camel at the races. Camels can be very unpredictable, which in many cases is a direct result of the quality of training they’ve received. Caution is advised and researching the competitors before hand is recommended.
Camel Racing Information
Training Process of Racing Camels
Camel training programs for racing purposes differ depending on the region and environment. Camels begin training when they are approximately 13 months old until they reach the age of 3 and begin racing. For the purpose of this site, Gulf region training techniques will be focused on.
Obedience Training
At the age of 13 to 16 months, the camel is taken from its mother and attached by rope to an older camel to act as a steadying companion to the young camel throughout the short training period of 1 to 3 months. The training involves learning to wear the 'al khidham' rope that is tied around the camel's head to control its movements and the 'al shidad' saddle, which is a soft, blanket saddle. Already at this stage, trainers accustom their camels to having a young rider on their backs and take them to run on the racetrack.
Fitness Training
The program begins in early July for weaker camels and the stronger ones being in late August. The camels are taken out for 20-kilometer walks in the desert in the early mornings and are brought back before midday. They are fed, watered, and allowed to rest in the shade until their 3 PM water and snack.
In October, the walking distance is changed and increased to 40-kilometers and the camels receive food during their outing. Between 4 - 6 PM, they return and receive their evening meal.
The purpose-oriented daily walking is aimed at reducing the camel's fat, increasing fitness, and making the camel more trim.
Running Training
The camel's running training program begins in early November. Intense training takes place on the major racetracks, coinciding with the preliminary races of the season that last until the end of January. At the end of the racing sessions, running practice takes place on the tracks with 5 to 10 camels starting together at a time to prevent injuries. Running distances are decided by each trainer on an individual basis according to the type of races each camel is being trained for. This way, the camel adjusts to running over specific distances.
The food diet during this period changes to become very nutritious and rich foods, such as barley, dates, goat's milk, and honey in order to compensate for the greater energy output of the camel.
Two months before the race, camels that are seen to have the greatest potential for winning also receive greater medical attention in terms of more frequent checkups and better healthcare against dirt, pests, and weather elements.
Stomach Purging
Two days before the race, the camel's stomach is purged. After this has been done, the camels are covered with special blankets and are taken to be washed. Water and a light meal are fed to them before being covered again and having a special hood placed over their mouths to prevent further food consumption. The next day is then spent resting and fasting until the time of the race.
Racing Camel Upkeep in the Gulf Region
With advancements in the racing camel industry, there have also been improvements in the feeding and management programs designed to produce the best possible racing results from the animals. Nutritional specialists have been brought in from all over the world to run the camel feed mills to create well-balanced and highly nutritional diets. High fiber diets, including oats and barley in addition to vitamin supplements and trace elements, are standard for racing camels.
The Central Veterinary Research Laboratory in Dubai has played a major role in promoting the camel health care in the region. Camels undergo check-ups at the clinic which have been successful in combating common camel diseases as well as conducting experiments with breeding techniques to produce faster camels. Improvements in healthcare technology have already succeeded in improving race times.
The complexities behind camel care have led to a very organized camel maintenance hierarchy. At the top, the owners employ nutritionists, feeders, jockeys, drivers, grooms, cleaners, shepherds, and trainers. Above all is the Camel Racing Association (CRA), which provides the general organization of the races to include preparation, equipment, scheduling, selection of referees, prizes, and press coverage.
Owners spend between RO 200 and RO 400 every month during the race season on camel upkeep and essentials. Their caretakers meticulously watch over the camels to ensure that they remain in prime condition. A typical racing camel owner would make sure that his camels are kept clean by having them washed and scrubbed twice a week in addition to having any bruises cared for by using expensive healing ointments to keep them healthy. Warm blankets and sheets are also used to cover the camels at night to keep them from the cold. Mouth guards are used to prevent the camels from feeding on normal desert vegetation instead of their specially designed nutritional diet. Camels undergo periodic stomach purges to keep them in top condition.
Breeds of Racing Camels in the Arabian Peninsula and East Africa
The Bedouin of the Arabian Peninsula have bred fast camels for thousands of years, but their main goal was to use the lean and fast camels for raiding and defense purposes rather than racing sport. Today, racing camels in the Arabian Peninsula are divided into three categories according to physical characteristics. This has been done to aid in the organization and fairness of the races which are separated according to breed, since each breed of camel has different physical traits and abilities. They are divided as follows:
- The local breed, known as 'al mahaliyat', colored brown.
- Sudanese camels, known as 'al Sudaniyat', which are larger, faster, and white.
- A mixed-breed, known as 'al muhajanat', which is a mix of the first two.
Other Breeds:
Bint Dhabyan, Al Wariya, Toug, Al Khamriyah, Mehna, Al Shatotiya, Al Shamtiya, Alia, Al Mesk, Al Tayyara, Laghzaila, Elhke, Dbais, Tafra, Zaafarana, and Shola
East Africa
In East Africa, there are 3 types of racing camels:
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'Somali' Camels
Large boned, heavy, muscular camels with thick necks and broad chests. They are slow and poor milk producers, weighing up to 550 kilograms and performing best on flat surfaces.
These camels are only suitable for racing if they are runts, which are much more lightweight and smaller in size.
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Rendille Camels
These are preferred camels for racing due to their medium size, weighing between 350-450 kilograms. Their feet have tougher pads and they are good milk producers. On a local level, Rendille camels are used often for racing.
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Turkana Camels
The slender shape, small feet, and agility of Turkana Camels make them good for racing. They have a small and stocky build, reliable on rocky and hilly terrain. Their humps are not large and they have good ribs, weighing in at approximately 300-375 kilograms. They have tough feet as well as being very agile, but the camels are known to be temperamental.
Important Characteristics of Racing Camels
The most successful racing camels have the right features necessary for giving them the advantage in the racing world. In addition to their build, it is very important for racing camels to have feet and legs structured in a way to allow them optimal balance and speed.
Feet
It is important for the feet of a racing camel to be small enough to allow for agility and quickness, but large enough to support and balance its weight, particularly when the camel reaches faster speeds. The front feet should be as straight as possible, and the rear feet are better if they are slightly turned outwards. Horny and tough soles are considered ideal, even if they are slightly worn down, due to the added protection they give the camel from hot sand and rocks. This can be identified also by the unevenness of their nails.
Front Legs
The front legs should be close together, straight, and long. Well muscled elbows that are away from the chest pad are ideal.
Rear Legs
The rear legs should also be straight and long rather than bow-legged. They should muscular as well as the loins area.
Thighs
The thighs of the camel should be thick, full, broad, and muscular.
Forearms/Knee Joints/Hocks
Muscular forearms, heavy knee joints, and moderately straight, closely set hocks.
Cannon Bone
The cannon bone should be flat and clean.
Overall Build
The overall build of the racing camel should be long-legged, slender, with a strong bone structure.
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Prof. Samuel Hejaz
September 5th, 2002
25 June 2006The introduction of robot jockeys into the traditional Emirati camel races has put an end to the suffering of child jockeys - often torn away from families in poor countries and enslaved for the sake of this ancestral sport.
12 June 2006More than 1,000 child jockeys smuggled into the Emirates to race camels have been returned to their home countries, government officials said. The United Arab Emirates began enforcing a ban on child jockeys last year, after the State Department cited the country as a top destination for smuggled children who were being forced into camel riding. Some 20 smugglers have been prosecuted for trafficking in child jockeys. 4 June 2006Edgar Rizkallah, 43, and Kamil Issa, 36, said in the discrimination lawsuit they were called "terrorists", "camel jockeys" and other epithets in 1999 and 2000 4 June 2006Malmoud, a young Sudanese boy in his early teens, was a former camel jockey in Qatar. He claims that he was not a victim of trafficking, but that he had entered the country legally with his parents. 17 April 2006One World presents Festival in the Desert with Tinariwen and Markus James on Thursday April 20 at the Historic Ashland Armory in downtown Ashland at 8 p.m. to close this season’s 2005-2006 series. 4 April 2006At a time when accommodation is rare as hens teeth, and camels are a dime a dozen, everyone who is anyone in the Rajasthani camel trading world, wants to be in Pushkar. Intrepid Travel is excited to announce a very special trip departure, created especially for those who want to experience the colour and chaos of the Pushkar Camel Fair, along with a little taste of the rest of incredible India. 29 March 2006The United Arab Emirates says it will use robots as jockeys for camel races from next season, reports BBC. The move comes after widespread international criticism of the use of young children to ride camels during the long and often hazardous races. 23 February 2006The United Arab Emirates, under pressure to stamp out the use of children as camel jockeys, plans to introduce robot riders this year. 12 February 2006Children locked up in brothels for sexual services. Children forced to work in sweatshops under hellish conditions. Children sold as camel jockeys. Child beggars manipulated by adult gangs. Children working as drug couriers. Children used as loans in debt bondage. Children forced into marriage. 10 February 2006Children of the Asian and African countries are unlikely to be trafficked to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as camel jockeys since the country formulated stringent laws preventing the use of children as jockeys, an UAE police official said yesterday . 6 February 2006KUWAIT: Kuwait has held the first regional camel race using robots as riders after child jockeys were banned from the lucrative sport following criticism by human rights groups. 18 January 2006Under the patronage of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, competitions for the Dh3 million Zayed Grand Prize of camel racing, will start today and last until January 25. 12 January 2006After passing through the final security check point at the international airport in Dubai, a group of Pakistani boys are going back home at long last. Like thousands of other children from poor countries they were sent by their parents – and sometimes even trafficked – to the United Arab Emirates to work as camel jockeys. Enduring harsh living conditions and long working hours were once their daily routines. 4 January 2006Omer and Mazin were only four and six years old, respectively, when their father sold them to a woman trafficker to work as camel jockeys in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 1 January 2006Camel racing (Al-Hagen) is one of the historical and traditional sports that is practiced by Arabs, especially Yemenis. The relationship between Camel and Arabs is more than that between an animal and jockey; it is, rather a stronger friendship. 21 December 2005At least 15,000 Pakistani children, who were smuggled as jockeys for camel races, are undergoing “inhuman” treatment from their masters in the UAE, a newspaper quoted Save the Children’s report yesterday. 17 December 2005Several countries in Middle East have agreed to repatriate 22 Pakistani child camel jockeys by next week. 15 December 2005DOHA: The Prime Minister, H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, attended the final competitions of the four-day annual camel race for Arabian camels held under his auspices at Al-Shahaniyyah Camel Race Track. 15 December 2005The Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards announced Thursday include a sports/news story about Arab children enslaved as camel jockeys. 14 December 2005Pakistan took aim at people trafficking yesterday, hoping to stop its women and children being forced into prostitution, bonded labour or dangerous work as camel jockeys in the Middle East. 4 December 2005As many as 104,075 Pakistanis were deported in the last two years. This figure does not include offloading and repatriation of camel jockeys from the Middle East. 30 November 2005The children are Abu Siddiqui, 9; Abdul Haque, 7, of Cox's Bazar; Robin, 12; Rakib, 10; and Mokbul Hossain, 12, of Comilla. 22 November 2005Mr. Shaukat Aziz has welcomed difference of opinion but emphasised unity in the ranks of Pakistan Muslim League. Terming the former as the essence of democracy, the best advise he could give to the dissident souls was that the difference should be resolved through the mechanism laid down to guide the party affairs. Further, he has ruled out any change in party leadership. Apparently the issue has been resolved. 17 November 2005Pakistan - Jockey - Deportation The Upper House of Pakistan Parliament was informed that as many as 251 camel jockey kids had been deported to the country till September this year. 16 November 2005Five-year-old Abdul Khaiyoum to stay with the UAE family that rescued him. The frail and underweight 4-year-old boy was found in a pool of his own urine. 12 November 2005They are Rony, Amirul and Sadequl from Mymensingh, Shameem and Sohagh from Dhaka, Azad Alam from Noakhali, Abu Bakar and Ali from Comilla and Rony and Jony from Kushtia. 5 November 2005Four children, used as camel jockeys in the Middle East, were handed over to their parents in the district on Sunday, reports BSS. 3 November 2005After a hard year of endless soccer games and dancing sessions , robots are giving back to the community with the difficult new task of… camel jockey . Yeah, we’ve talked about this before, but now Wired News has a report about what all went on to get robots to replace enslaved 4-year-old boys behind the hump in the rich man’s sport of camel racing. In an effort to improve US relations 31 October 2005A father-of-six is desperately searching for one of his sons who went missing two years ago while working as a camel jockey in Dubai. Pakistani worker Rajab Hussain last saw his son Nadir Abbass in August 2003 during a weekly family reunion in their Al Aweer home. 28 October 2005The South Asia earthquake has stalled the repatriation of 60 former child camel jockeys to their families in Pakistan. 24 October 2005With mops of shaggy hair flopping in front of bulging, alien-like eyes that stare with a mix of curiosity and cluelessness, the latest newcomers to the University of Massachusetts seem like they'd be more at home in the make-believe world of Dr. Seuss. 24 October 2005It is only a few weeks until this annual dromedary fun fest kicks off in Rajasthan, India. Each November over 2 million tourists and animal traders converge on Pushkar to bargain for camels and celebrate Indian culture. This thread on the Fodors forum is a good place to start if you need itinerary suggestions or want to learn more about planning a trip. The dates of the festival are 23 October 2005Camels have come to the rescue of the annual race day in the small south-east Queensland town of Mount Perry. The town, along with many others, lost its horse racing meetings two years ago. 15 October 2005KUWAIT: Kuwait held its first camel race using robots as jockeys on Thursday after children were banned from the sport in response to criticism by rights groups and the United States. 9 October 2005YOUNG children are being abducted and have disappeared in Puerto Galera, Mindoro Island. A young boy had his eyes and guts cut out in nearby Baco town. Five- and six-year olds have been sexually abused by foreign pedophiles with impunity in the Philippines. 7 October 2005Dozens of former child camel jockeys no longer allowed to race in the UAE cannot be sent home to their parents because they do not know who they are. Children are back on the streets letting off fireworks despite the authorities' efforts to stop them. 5 October 2005A University of Qatar study of the use of young boys as racing camel jockeys has left many with permanent disabilities from accidents. 5 October 2005The risk of injury, disability and death is high among child jockeys in camel races in Gulf countries, research shows. 4 October 2005Boys riding as jockeys in camel races in Persian Gulf countries are at risk of serious or even fatal injuries, according to a study. 2 October 2005A family who fell victim to camel-jockey trafficking has demanded an independent inquiry commission to publicise the causes of trafficking children as camel jockeys. 22 September 2005A camel was sold for $185,000 at an auction in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where camel racing is hugely popular, a newspaper reported on Wednesday. 21 September 2005Camel jockeys must now register with the Ministry of Interior before they can take part in this season's races, which will start next month. 15 September 2005A camel is a camel, right? Wrong. In the United Arab Emirates, a camel could be your ticket to winning millions - provided you pick the right one. 11 September 2005It's a different mode of transportation, one which you won't see on the highway. Saturday the historical camel races took place in Virginia City. News 4 reporter Colin Hackman was there, and joins us now live in the studio. 31 August 2005The Emirates Falconers Club, in association with the United Arab Emirates General Exhibitions Corporation, will conduct the Third annual International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition, named Abu Dhabi-2005, from September 12 to 16 in Abu Dhabi, according to Mohammed Khalaf Al Masroui, head of the organising committee. 24 August 2005A second group of child camel jockeys arrived here on Tuesday morning bringing the total number of children repatriated from the United Arab Emirates to 61 22 August 2005UNICEF announced this month that the United Arab Emirates is acting implement a new law that bans children camel jockeys for the traditional camel racing sport. 15 August 2005Guardians of 70 camel jockey identified
News From Bangladesh - Aug 13 7:22 PM
Bangladesh Jatiya Mohila Ainjibi Samity (BJMAS) has identified the parents and guardians of 70 of the 73 children who were recently repatriated from United Arab Emirate (UAE). 14 August 2005A total of 35 Bangladeshi children who used to work as camel jockeys in United Arab Emirates (UAE) were officially repatriated yesterday.( A special flight of Bangladesh Biman carried them home at 10.45am yesterday. 11 August 2005DHAKA: Nearly 40 Bangladeshi children who worked as jockeys in the United Arab Emirates returned home on Thursday after a ban in the desert state on children taking part in camel races, a practice condemned widely as a form of slavery. 9 August 2005More than 100 Bangladeshi children trafficked to the United Arab Emirates to be camel racers will soon be repatriated. 3 August 2005BAHRAIN Camels completed their tour of the UK with another emphatic win, this time defeaing Barmy Army by 110 runs. It was for a second successive year that the Camels were winning all their matches during their annual UK tour. 31 July 2005Camels, donkeys and even wild goats will be racing in south-west Queensland this weekend at the Great Matilda race meeting. The Charleville meeting is the last on Queensland's unofficial camel racing circuit, with more than 30 camels expected to compete in the 10 races on the card. 27 July 2005You didn’t see this on ESPN, but last week a new sports video game franchise might have been born in the United Arab Emirates. Ten remote-controlled robots were placed atop ten racing camels. The camels were then sent running around a 10-kilometer track in the while the people controlling them chased behind in more conventional vehicles. Now that remote-controlled camel racing is possible and 23 July 2005Remote-controlled robots were used as jockeys in a camel race in the United Arab Emirates, reports NewScientist.com. 20 July 2005Abu Dhabi: The UAE can pride itself on the first successful robot camel jockey race in the world, Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan said yesterday. 19 July 2005As many as 7,000 Pakistani children being used as camel Jockeys were still stranded in the deserts of several Gulf states, disclosed a report. Minister of State for Overseas Pakistanis Tariq Azeem confirmed that over 10,000 children were being used as camel jockeys and out of them 70 percent were Pakistanis and 30 percent were Indian, Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi. 18 July 2005The United Arab Emirates, which signed in May an agreement with the United Nations children's fund to ban the use of child camel jockeys, has repatriated more than 250 children in 2005, local media reported. 16 July 2005ABU DHABI - The agreement signed by the UAE with Unicef to repatriate children who worked as camel jockeys to their home countries is being implemented in accordance with a set timetable, a senior official said on Saturday. 14 July 2005Doha: Robots raced camels for the first time in a Doha competition on Wednesday, following a May 17 law banning the use of child jockeys in Qatar. 12 July 2005The BBC's Aamer Ahmed Khan in Karachi reports on the struggle to rehabilitate former camel jockeys. Few in Pakistan will disagree with Sarim Burney's assessment of the number of Pakistani children currently working as camel jockeys in the Gulf. 10 July 2005DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - Under international pressure to stop child abuse in a traditional desert sport, the United Arab Emirates has banned the use of underage riders in camel racing. 10 July 2005Around 5,000 people from around the world gathered in central Australia yesterday for the annual running of the Alice Springs Camel Cup. Camels were originally brought to central Australia by Afghan cameleers in the 1860s. 9 July 2005Lahore : Another batch of 86 child camel jockeys who had been smuggled to the United Arab Emirates, arrived yesterday in Lahore. UAE Interior Ministry officials, escorting the children to Lahore, handed them over to the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation. 8 July 2005The first event on Queensland's camel-racing circuit gets under way this weekend, with big crowds already in the far western township of Bedourie. Camels will race today in Bedourie, with other meetings later this month at Boulia and Charleville. 7 July 2005Under international pressure to stop child abuse in a traditional desert sport, the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday banned the use of underage riders in camel racing. 6 July 2005The United Arab Emirates passes a law tightening a ban on children under 18 taking part in camel racing. 4 July 2005Twelve Pakistani children sold to work as camel jockeys in the United Arab Emirates have finally been reunited with their parents after returning home last month, officials said. 2 July 2005LAHORE: The parents of nine of the 22 child camel jockeys who recently returned from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) took their children back home from the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB) on Saturday after completing legal formalities. 30 June 2005The team includes representatives from the Home Ministry, Foreign Ministry, Unicef and Uddipon, a non-government organisation. The team is being sent in July to bring back the Bangladeshi children by September. 28 June 2005Abdul Hakeem was just six years old when he went to United Arab Emirates to work as a servant. But the Pakistani youngster ended up as a camel jockey. 27 June 2005Eight-year-old Mohamed Irfan still remembers how one of his friends fell from a camel and was crushed beneath the feet of another galloping animal during a race in the United Arab Emirates. 25 June 2005LAHORE: They have finally returned home from a brutal life in the United Arab Emirates, but 22 Pakistani children who worked as camel jockeys have still not been claimed by their parents. 24 June 2005DUBAI -- The emirate of Abu Dhabi is expected to hold a camel auction during the September 12 to 16 International Hunting and Equestrian exhibition, organizers said on Wednesday. 23 June 2005LAHORE: Most of the Pakistani children, who returned from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have revealed that their parents had been instrumental in making them camel jockeys 22 June 2005The United Arab Emirates have repatriated the first group of underage camel jockeys to Pakistan, under an agreement with UNICEF. 16 June 2005Event will feature auction of 135 female Arabian camels, produced by artificial insemination at Abu Dhabi during hunting, riding expo. 14 June 2005Camel-race organizers in Qatar have successfully tested the first-ever robot camel jockey at the Al Shahaniya camel race track, as a substitute for child jockeys in the Gulf state. 11 June 2005Kuwait has adopted a series of stiff measures to clamp down on the use of young children as camel jockeys in the region's popular sport of camel racing, a top official said on Saturday. 10 June 2005The joint programme to register, rehabilitate and repatriate children involved as jockeys in camel racing completed its first month on Wednesday. The agreement was signed between the United Nations Children's Fund, (Unicef) and the Ministry of Interior as a follow up to strict new legislation introduced a few months ago to stamp out the use of children in camel races. 9 June 2005The Ministry of Interior confirmed trafficking of children exists in the UAE, but said the recorded number of children used as camel jockeys may be inaccurate. 9 June 2005Soaring economies lure millions of workers to the Gulf region, but authorities are struggling to deal with an unwanted byproduct: human traffickers who bring in prostitutes and unscrupulous companies that refuse to pay their imported employees.
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Virginia City Camel Races
September 9-11, 2005
Virginia City Camel Races Information
The Virginia City International Camel Races feature riders atop camels, ostriches, emus, bulls, and who knows what else. The weekend event, scheduled for September 9-11, 2005, began as a hoax in 1959 but now attracts competitors from Australia, Africa, and the Middle East. Set at a historic mining quarry in Virginia City, the camel races combine entertainment of all sorts with Virginia City's Old West history. Your pass entitles you to admission to the races on September 9 -- opening day.
Races consist of a 100-yard dash on a straight dirt track at the Camel Dome Amphitheater. Since the camels are not trained (and not particularly eager racers to begin with), reaching the finish line is often the key to victory. For those camels that follow the lead of their jockeys, a spot awaits in Sunday's final. Other unlikely racing events have been added over the years involving ostriches, emus, and bulls.
Most important, the races are conducted in a spirit of fun that spills over into the streets of Virginia City throughout the weekend. Spectators are come not just for the races, but to stroll the historic wooden sidewalks of Virginia City and relax in the town's many 19th century saloons and restaurants.
The annual event started in 1959 when the editor of a Virginia City newspaper printed the results of a fictitious camel race. Although locals paid little heed to the practical joke, the editors of the San Francisco Chronicle passed on the race results to their readers as fact. The next year, the Chronicle wasn't going to be fooled again. When the race was announced, the newspaper rented a pair of camels and issued a race challenge. Other newspapers and business groups took up the call to camels, and a real competition emerged.
The first race was won by film director John Huston, was in the area shooting "The Misfits". Since then, the Virginia City Camel Races have become an annual event in early September. In recent years, as many as 50,000 visitors have joined the fun.
Contact Details:Virginia City
P.O. Box 464
Nevada 89440
Phone:+702 847-0311
Camel Races in Dubai
Oct 2005 - Apr 2006
Nad Al Sheba Camel Race Information
Camel racing is taken very seriously in this neck of the woods, and Dubai's race track fills to the brim every Thursday and Friday during their winter months.
Camels tend to be owned by sheikhs and jockeys can be very young - sometimes only six years old.
Contact Details: Nad Al Sheba Racecourse
Phone:+971 4 322 277
Fax:+971 4 322 288
Website:Nad Al Sheba Racecourse
http://www.nadalshebaclub.com/
Voyages Camel Cup 2005 Australia
9th July, 2005
Voyages Camel Cup 2005 Information
If you’re looking for a fun event not just for your family and friends, this is it.
Not only do you get a good laugh just by watching the races (guaranteed that no two races are the same) you will also be entertained by fun and interaction between races, with lots of great local stalls.
Camels are not as they seem: the dedicated ships of the desert destined to serve their master.
These magnificent beasts can easily spit over three metres, have been known to bite, snarl and generally prefer to do things at their own pace.
The riders are either heroes or crazy! Either way, all of these bridled passions make for dynamic viewing, with the camels easily conquering the riders during the day!
The start of the race, with up to 15 camels, is confusing ... some off in good stride, others still grounded, some going backwards; it's a nightmare for riders and handlers, but spectacular for spectators - a camel in full stride needs the rider to hang on for dear life!
Contact Details: Alice Springs Lions Camel Cup Inc.
Phone: (02) 8296 8055
Fax: (02) 8296 8052
Website:Voyages Camel Cup 2005
http://www.camelcup.com
Voyages Camel Cup 2005 History
The first Camel Race was run in 1970 in the dry Todd River bed as a bet between two mates, Noel Fullerton and Keith Mooney-Smith, and was an added attraction at the Alice Springs Centenary Year celebrations.
The Camel race proved so popular and hilarious that plans were made by the Lions Clubs to hold the event on an annual basis.
The first permanent venue was at Traeger Park, but low fences and a grass track were thought to be too dangerous, so in 1975 the event was moved to Arunga Park Speedway, with some success.
Since 1979 the Camel Cup has been held on its own arena at Blatherskite Park, a section of the Central Australian Show Society grounds, with a commentary and judges' tower being erected, for telephone contact to the ‘pits’ and ‘centre arena’ to keep the crowd informed.
Boulia Desert Sands Australia
15 - 17 Jul 2005
Boulia Desert Sands Camel Race Information
This must-see event at the Racecourse and Rodeo Grounds in Boulia consists of three nights and days packed with thrilling entertainment, including camel races - the most prominent being the 1/4 Mile Flyer and the Boulia Desert Sands.
The fun starts on the Thursday night, as people gather in the camping area and have a street party in town with live music. Camel trials, skydiving, and the wild camel catching competition take place on the Friday, with the main events taking place at the weekend.
After Saturday's ten camel races, there are the finals on Sunday morning, as well as fun races, not only for camels but also celebrities, honeymooners and donkeys!
But expect more than just the racing; there is usually a great concert as well as a huge fireworks display. Sunday's two main races are followed by closing speeches and prize presentations in the early afternoon, while food and drink are served until 8pm.
Contact Details: Tourism Queensland
Address Level 36, 123 Eagle St, Brisbane QLD 4001
Phone: +61 (0) 7 3874 2800
Fax: +61 (0) 7 3406 5329
Email: tqinfo@tq.com.au
Camel Festival in Morocco
1-31 July 2005
Camel Festival Goulimine Information
The people of Goulimine hold an annual Camel Festival on top of their weekly Camel Fair (every Saturday). Don't come expecting a recreation of Lawrence of Arabia or you might be sorely disappointed - the event is more of a tourist attraction than an actual market, but fascinating all the same.
Once known as the "gateway to the Sahara", Goulimine is now less of a border town - due mainly to the decline of the camel as a mode of transport. In an era when the 4X4 truck is a faster option (and, unlike the camel, doesn't growl or spit constantly), the traditional art of camel trading is now fading away.
The festival also offers the opportunity to witness the ancient dance ritual known as the Guedra, which is associated with Goulimine. The dance is performed by a woman to the beat of a drum made of a kitchen pot (guedra) and the chanting and clapping of onlookers. The dance often induces a hypnotic state and is carried out to serve as a blessing or to submit oneself to God.
Country: Morocco
Town: Rabat
Contact Details: Morocco Tourist Office
Address: Angle 31 rue Oued Fès et avenue Abtal, Agdal, Rabat, Morocco
Phone: +212 (0) 37 681 531/532/533
Fax: +212 (0) 37 777 437
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