Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
CAMEL RACING
Camel racing is not only a popular spectator sport but is deeply rooted in the Emirati soul and originally practised
only at weddings and special events. These days it's big business with races held on modern, custom-built 6km-
to 10km-long tracks between October and early April.
Pure-bred camels begin daily training sessions when they're about two years old. The local Mahaliyat breed,
Omaniyat camels from Oman, Sudaniyat from Sudan and interbred Muhajanat are the most common breeds used
in competition. Over 100 animals participate in a typical race, each outfitted with 'robo-jockeys' since the use of
child jockeys was outlawed in 2005. Owners race alongside the camels in SUVs on a separate track, giving com-
mands by remote.
There's no fixed racing schedule, although two- or three-hour meets usually take place starting around 7am on
Friday, sometimes with a second race around 2.30pm. Training sessions can sometimes be observed at other
times. For exact times, check the local newspapers or call the numbers below. Admission is free. Here's a run-
down of the main tracks where you can see these great desert athletes go nose to nose:
Al-Wathba
( 050-614 7007, 583 9200) Abu Dhabi - about 45km east of town via the E22 towards Al Ain;
take exit 47, turn right to Al-Wathba Palace and right again to the track.
Al Marmoum
( 055-676 0006;
www.dcrc.ae;
off Hwy E66; usually 7am-10pm Wed-Fri Oct-Apr) Dubai
- about 40km south of town en route to Al Ain, near Al Lisaili; go past the Dubai Outlet Mall and the Sevens
rugby stadium and turn right at exit 37.
Al Sawan
(nr Digdagga; usually 6.30am-9.30am Fri & Sat Nov-Mar) Ras Al Khaimah - about 15km south-
east of RAK City via E18. Drive towards RAK airport as far as Digdagga, turn off opposite the big World Dis-
count Store (just before the free-standing minaret) and drive for about 5km.
Music & Dance
Emiratis have always acknowledged the importance of music in daily life. Songs were tra-
ditionally composed to accompany different tasks, from hauling water to diving for pearls.
The Arabic music you're most likely to hear on the radio, though, is
khaleeji
, the tradi-
tional Gulf style of pop music. Alongside this, an underground rock and metal music
scene is increasingly taking shape, with a few Dubai bands worth noting, including Kick-
sound (alternative rock), Vin Sinners (rock), Coat of Arms (metal), Jay Wud (rock) and
Xceed (rock).
The UAE's contact with East and North African cultures through trade, both seafaring
and by camel caravan, has brought many musical and dance influences to the country.
One of the most popular dances is the
ayyalah
, a typical Bedouin dance performed
throughout the Gulf. The UAE has its own variation, performed to a simple drumbeat,
with anywhere between 25 and 200 men standing with their arms linked in two rows fa-
cing each other. They wave walking sticks or swords in front of themselves and sway
back and forth, the two rows taking it in turn to sing. It's a war dance and the words ex-
pound the virtues of courage and bravery in battle.
