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Your Gateway To Oman

Camel Breeding

 Camel breeding and rearing is a traditional activity practiced all over Oman, dating back to references in the Holy Quran. Omani camels are of medium size and is know for their strength and speed. Colour varies by region: Dhofar camels tend to be black, although lighter colours are more common elsewhere. Camels are used in Oman for riding or racing and also used for meat and milk. Camel breeding has become more profitable in the recent years and therefore more popular; the price of a racing camel can reach over Omani Rial Seventy Five thousand.

To accord with the wish of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos to preserve the Omani heritage, a Directorate-General of camel Affairs was established in the Diwan of Royal Court in 1989. Located in the wilayat of Barka at Fulaij, it is equipped with the most modern race tracks and camel pens. This concern testifies to the esteem in which the ancient craft is held among Omanis.

The Directorate participates in national festivals, organises camel races and overseas the breeding and rearing programme, in which female and male camels are carefully selected and the required numbers of the new-born camels calculated. A birth certificate is issued for each camel according to its particular specifications.

Racing camels are fed on honey, ghee and cow's milk, all available locally and their hygiene and health care closely monitored.

The rearing of the female camels used for racing entails four stages: selection, breaking, slimming down and training for the race track. Training begins in a camel's second year and progrsses through the four stages until the camel is ready for racing at the events held on relegious festivals and national occasions.

Oman is famous for a particular herd of top-quality camels, the al-asa'il (pure-bred ones) numbering over 100,000 Government efforts have turned camel breeding into a lucrative profession from Omanis.

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