Everyone is geared up to welcome Dhofar Khareef season in Salalah, so are the camel owners who live in the mountainous villages along with their flocks. They have started bringing their camels to the Salalah plains putting up enclosures in designated areas.
Dhofar Khareef is a season which brings lots of rain to Salalah and its adjoining mountains. While the climate becomes very pleasant to attract thousands of tourists from the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries, the weather at the mountains is not conducive to camels due to massive moisture.
Rains and marshy land conditions make difficult for the camels to walk on slopes due to their top heavy body construction. Additionally, camels are not able to manage mosquitoes and other insects, which erupt due to moisture and thick vegetation on the mountains.
“The camels are top heavy animals with long legs and padded feet base. The monsoon rains make their movement difficult on the mountain slope. So we bring them on the plains closer to our mountain villages, build enclosures and tents to keep them,” said Bakhit al Sahri of Hamran village.
On Saturday, a farmer was seen bringing his camels from the northern mountain area and directing them to an enclosure in Itin.
He was singing some folk lore dedicated to camels and the annual situation which makes the camels and their owners come on the plains and stay in enclosures.
By being on plains the camel owners take part in many festival-related activities, including camel race, camel milk competition and beautiful camel competition.
Being on the plains, these camels give spectacular view to the visitors, who pause their vehicles to watch and even go near to them for authentic Dhofar Khareef pictures along with the camels.
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