Caretakers walking the camels for milking at Al Dhafra Festival in Madinat Zayed, in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Caretakers walking the camels for milking at Al Dhafra Festival in Madinat Zayed, in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Alia Obaid, 8, from Madinat Zayed has a love for falcons and trains with them often at Al Dhafra Festival.
Alia Obaid, 8, from Madinat Zayed has a love for falcons and trains with them often at Al Dhafra Festival.
Visitors during the Al Dhafra Festival at Madinat Zayed.
Visitors during the Al Dhafra Festival at Madinat Zayed.
A woman selling items at her stall.
A woman selling items at her stall.
Women stand outside a stall with a photo of Sheikh Zayed in the background.
Women stand outside a stall with a photo of Sheikh Zayed in the background.
One of the stalls where people can shop for Emirati goods.
One of the stalls where people can shop for Emirati goods.
Local Bedouin women making traditional handicrafts.
Local Bedouin women making traditional handicrafts.
Al Dhafra Festival runs until January 22.
Al Dhafra Festival runs until January 22.
Al Dhafra Festival offers an authentic Emirati heritage experience and will host Bedouin cultural events.
Al Dhafra Festival offers an authentic Emirati heritage experience and will host Bedouin cultural events.
Stalls selling traditional clothes, scents, handicrafts, and food items at the festival.
Stalls selling traditional clothes, scents, handicrafts, and food items at the festival.
In the festival's milking camel contest, the camels are judged by the weight of the milk they produce.
In the festival's milking camel contest, the camels are judged by the weight of the milk they produce.
Milk collected during the milking camel contest is poured into a container.
Milk collected during the milking camel contest is poured into a container.
An amount of milk collected is measured as part of the milking camel contest.
An amount of milk collected is measured as part of the milking camel contest.
Camel 'beauty pageants' are held daily during the Al Dhafra Festival.
Camel 'beauty pageants' are held daily during the Al Dhafra Festival.
Camels being trained for running.
Camels being trained for running.
Camels are lined up for the 'beauty pageant' that takes place every day.
Camels are lined up for the 'beauty pageant' that takes place every day.
Participating camels at Al Dhafra Festival.
Participating camels at Al Dhafra Festival.
Caretakers walking the camels through the desert at Madinat Zayed.
Caretakers walking the camels through the desert at Madinat Zayed.
A car follows camels being walked by a caretaker at the site of Al Dhafra Festival.
A car follows camels being walked by a caretaker at the site of Al Dhafra Festival.
A bukhoor seller in her stall.
A bukhoor seller in her stall.
A woman selling different perfumes at Al Dhafra Festival.
A woman selling different perfumes at Al Dhafra Festival.

Lifestyle

Things to do

Al Dhafra Festival: everything you need to know about Abu Dhabi event on Bedouin life

Until January 22, the festival will hold camel beauty pageants and other competitions while showcasing Emirati heritage, crafts and food

Evelyn Lau
Evelyn Lau

January 14, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Al Dhafra Festival, known as "the greatest showcase of Bedouin lifestyle" anywhere in the world, is now under way in Abu Dhabi.

Each year, about 25,000 camels and their entourages descend on this remote area on the edge of the Empty Quarter for what can only be described as a beauty pageant for camels. It’s easy to spot the winning camels because their faces will be smeared with a red paste made from saffron. In July, it was announced that the total prize fund had also increased to Dh110 million ($30m), across 2,937 categories.

So if you're looking to visit Al Dhafra Festival, here is everything you need to know.

What is there to see and do?

In addition to camels, there's also a traditional souq. Here, you can learn about traditional Emirati crafts, such as Sadu (weaving cotton and wool), Telli (embroidery) and Khous (weaving palm fronds), and sample famous Emirati dishes. And there will be no shortage of things to buy.

There are also ongoing competitions throughout Al Dhafra Festival, including for classic cars, salukis, falcons, Arabian horses, handicrafts and dates. There's truly, something for everyone.

When and where is the festival taking place?

Al Dhafra Festival runs just south of Madinat Zayed in Al Dhafra Region of Abu Dhabi. The event started on Wednesday and runs until Saturday, January 22. Events are scheduled to take place from 10am until 10pm, although celebrations and preparations happen around the clock.

Where can I stay?

Al Dhafrah is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Abu Dhabi city. However, with the cooler temperatures, a lot of fun can be had around the festival’s campfires after dark, so it is worth spending the night.

Most hotels in the area, including Tilal Liwa Hotel, Western Hotel – Madinat Zayed, and Liwa Hotel get booked up early, but camping is open to all. Do not expect a quiet retreat, however.

Al Dhafra is a social gathering. Bring extra food and get your coffee pot ready to welcome guests. Alternatively, be prepared to accept many invitations to tea.

The festival is predominantly a man’s world, but women are welcome everywhere. Women can camp in a designated family section near the traditional market and use washroom facilities at the on-site Tilal Liwa Hotel. Both men and women must dress conservatively at the festival.

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  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
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Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).

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Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

Updated: January 14, 2022, 8:47 AM`
Abu Dhabi