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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Al Ardha through the eye of a camera

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Muscat, Jan 20 - For the last five years, Dutch photographer Hill van der Waal has been in Oman. The last three years has seen him following with passion the traditional camel race, Al Ardha. More than 40 black-and-white photographs — portraits to extraordinary moments from Al Ardha races — captured by Hill have been showcased at Bait al Baranda, Muttrah. The show will run until this month-end.
Incidentally, Unesco announced inclusion of Al Ardha in its ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage List’ while he was working on the project.
His documentary style of photography captures moods of the race, especially how some camel owners control these animals through whispers while others use pressure or force.
“It is overwhelming. There are lot of camels and lot of people; it can be chaotic but I call it organised chaos. Some people are so quiet. They squat next to their camel waiting for their turn, while others are struggling to keep their camels calm,” noted Hill.






The objective of the show is to showcase the beauty and strength of the Arabian camel. The jockeys ride camels side by side on a straight track. It is not about how fast they run, but how well they run side by side. Al Ardha usually happens early in the morning, which aids photography as the light is softer and shadows are longer.
“Some days, the sky was blue and purplish, which gave great texture to the air. Some people asked if I worked on the sky. But no, it was the natural setting,” explained Hill.
The Al Ardha also consists of singing, which he has incorporated in his three-minute film, which is being screened at Bait Al Baranda.
“Sung by some 50 or 60 people, it has a sort of hypnotic effect on you.”
Never did Hill think he would be specialising in photography focused on camels. According to him, camels are interesting, funny and stubborn.
“I could never ride a camel, although I do ride horses. Camels are too unpredictable, but I like their energy.”
Being familiar with the people over the years gets him to approach the camels up close during the races.
Unlike the other races, Al Ardha sees the race between two camels and riders at one time. “It is a timeless event,” concludes Hill.



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