SULTANATE OF OMAN

Horse and camel festivals and traditional arts and folklore are held on a permanent basis and these are usually managed and organised by the Ministry of Tourism in cooperation with the Bidiyah Camel and Horse Racing Club in order to activate the Omani traditional sports and domestic tourism activities. 

Hundreds of participants from purebred camel owners parade with chanting (locally called Hempel) and is followed by camel show and presentation. This is usually performed bilateral and sometimes individual. It also involves showing authentic camel riding skills and training where owners are proud to show off their breeds.

Horse owners along with their horses also participate and march which usually involve hundreds of mares and horses from a number of states of North Eastern province. Owners wear traditional uniforms and present their best breeds and equestrian skills. These include standing on the back of the horses while racing. Like with camels, horse owners enter the parade with special traditional chanting. The organization and beginning of this festival often coincides with the start of tourist activities in Bidiyah. Thousands of crowds of new foreign tourists and visitors from inside the Sultanate attend every year. 

Conducting such sports encourages interested horse and camel owners to participate and activate the traditional sports through competitions.