Muscat: There are many Omani customs and traditions that the Omani citizen seeks to preserve in various ways due to their importance in public life.
Among them is summer break (Maqydhat Al Hijin) for race camels.
“Maqydhat Al Hijin” has various meanings, based on the activity. It is customary for camels to rest before the season of races. The camel racing season ends in different racing tracks after a busy season.
The camels are prepared for the coming season to regain their activity in accordance with a specific diet and planned training programme.
During this period, it is very important to choose the appropriate location for the residence of the camels.
In this period, camel owners are keen to choose a site preferred by camel’s tamers.
The sand is soft and clean and does not contain any obstacles that may harm the camel.
The weather of the site must be appropriate.
Obaid bin Said al Junaibi, owner and tamer of camels, said: “Maqydhat Al Hijin means that some camel owners move the camels from the homestead (Al Izba), where camels are trained, to the soft-sand deserts so that the camels take full freedom in their movement without any restrictions.”
For some camels, which have suffered injuries during last season’s competitions, they prefer to keep them in the farmhouse away from external conditions, so that they are under personal observation by the tamer or whoever acts on his behalf.
During Maqydhat Al Hijin, the camels find the right environment, which helps them to renew their energy in preparation for the upcoming season.
The Sultanate’s racing courses see different breeds of camels.
Al Junaibi said Maqydhat Al Hijin starts from May till the end of August in most governorates, which is renowned for breeding racing camels and camels’ beauty show.
All camel owners are keen on summer break due to its importance for the camel to regain full strength for the new season.
He said the camels participate in various competitions during the peak of the season, which drain much of their energy. Such energy and strength must be compensated by the trainer or tamer according to special diet and programme as per the type of competition the camel will take part in.
There are camel beauty contests and Al Ardha where two camel riders run together in a race. Camels are given clover, barley, honey, margarine and milk, depending on the age of the camel during the racing period.
During Maqydhat Al Hijin, the camel is left free to pasture to regain strength.
The diet varies and could include dates as it contains healthy food recommended by veterinarians.
During Maqydhat Al Hijin, all camel race courses in the various governorates of the Sultanate are open to all where camels are given training.
— ONA
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