Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region, on Thursday honoured winners of the 8th Dhafra Festival Camel Mazayna (Camel Beauty Contest) at the conclusion of the 12-day heritage event in the Western Region on Thursday.
Camels of Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President's Representative, won the Assayel (local pure-bred camels) competition while camels of Nasser bin Suwaid Al Mansouri dominated the Majahim (dark-skinned camels) competition.
Sheikh Hamdan presented the Dhafra Bayrak (flag) to winners of the flag round, the top event of the contest. He also honoured winners of other competitions and sponsors of the festival.
Sheikh Hamdan emphasised the keenness of the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to provide consistent support to heritage events and activities, including the Dhafra Festival, which aim to safeguard the local culture and heritage and passing them to the young generations.
He added that the festival had promoted the UAE's standing locally and internationally given its prominence as the largest camel mazayna in terms
of the number of pure-bred camels, camel owners and breeders from the GCC.
The festival, inspired in its form and content by the authentic Bedouin spirit, is dedicated to the protection of environmental and historical heritage, and the reinforcement of the bond between the past and the present of the Emirati citizens.
The 8th edition of the festival drew a large attendance as it featured outstanding competitions and rich heritage activities
Organised by the Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee of Abu Dhabi (CPHFC), the festival was bigger with more events including competitions for the camel beauty shows in addition to other contests related to Emirati traditions such as best milking camel, saluki race, falconry, dates and dates packaging, handicrafts, photography and classic cars competition.
Source: WAM