Oman’s camel races finds place in UNESCO Representative List

Muscat: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has registered camel racing in its list of intangible cultural heritage, following an application submitted by the Sultanate and the United Arab Emirates recently.

A decision to this effect was made by the Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage during its 15th meeting held via videoconferencing.

The achievement comes in recognition of the leading role of the Sultanate in documenting elements of Omani culture and as a culmination of efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and the Omani National Committee for Education, Culture and Sciences.
Camel races have since antiquity been a popular sport relished by millions around the world. The sport has been the pride of Omani and other

Arab people and it has been passed down, over centuries, from one generation to another.

The sport lovers compete to possess the best pedigrees of thoroughbred camels that secure top spots in camel races.
On the sidelines of camel racing events there are usually traditional cultural exhibitions of craft industries and folklore dances, which, along with the races draw large numbers of spectators.

It is worth noting that the Sultanate has registered nine elements in the list of the UNESCO’s intangible heritage.