Women’s camel beauty contest makes debut in Saudi Arabia
- For first time, women allowed to take part in prestigious King Abdelaziz Festival; previously a men-only affair in conservative kingdom
- One participant says staging a contest for women ‘is a big step forward’
.png?itok=xML2J2Ym)
“I hope today to reach a certain social standing, inshallah (God willing),” said Lamia al-Rashidi, 27, who took part in the weekend contest in the Rumah desert northeast of the capital Riyadh.
The event formed part of the prestigious King Abdelaziz Festival, was previously a men-only affair.
“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.
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 US$260,000).
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.
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.
The oil-rich Gulf state adheres to a rigid interpretation of Islam, but since the rise to power of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2017, some restrictions on women have been lifted as the country opens up with sweeping reforms.
Saudi princess freed after three years in jail
The shift has enabled women to get behind the wheel and take part in mixed-gender settings, even as a rigorous crackdown on dissent remains in place.
“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 said.
Munira al-Mishkhas, another participant, said: “Camels have been a part of us for a long time, but staging a contest for us (women) is a big step forward.”
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.
Saudi tourist mistaken for Khashoggi suspect says he was like ‘animal in zoo’
“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.
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 US$66 million.
