“This,” said Sheikh Abdulla Rashid Al Athba, gesturing at the honking motorcade, “is just preparation. This is nothing. When she wins, you will see us flying. If she wins, you’ll see triple the people here.”
Mahueba the camel and her caravan crossed my path as I drove around the sands of Al Dhafra the morning of a beauty competition. As they passed, I was invited by Sheikh Abdulla, a Qatari, to join. This is how a camel’s fan club grows, boosting her fame and value.
As noted earlier, the main event at a beauty contest is the impromptu parade that escorts a contestant to the gates of the judging pens. A camel is surrounded by her owner’s family, friends and fans. Poetry penned in her honour blares from loudspeakers to attract fans.
Mahueba’s owner, Ali Rashid Al Athba, is sent verses from Emirati, Saudi, Kuwaiti and Qatari poets. These are used to decorate the vehicles in her motorcade and for synthetised recitations like the one in this video.
“It’s like for support,” said Hamad Al Athba, 23. “It’s telling how beautiful she is and talking about the owner, that he’s generous and he’s a good guy. You know, compliments.”
The music makes the camel anxious, causing her to pace and extend her neck. This showcases her beauty.
Poetry, song and dance are essential parts of beauty pageant culture.
Parades are what people buy into when they buy a beauty camel. Judging itself is rather tedious and can take a full day.
This parade was considered a great success: Mahueba’s value increased from Dh2.7 million to Dh3.5 million.
Greater fame brings a greater party and namoos, the pride of victory.
“This is the problem,” said her owner Ali, 29. “The namoos means more to me than Dh100,000 million. What is worth more, Dh100,000 million or my family’s happiness?”
You might want to turn your speakers down for the video, it was windy at the festival.