They came in their hundreds from as far as Nejd the heart of Saudi kingdom and Dhofar the last lands of Oman before it borders with Yemen. They came in horse-powered caravans one truck after another loaded with camping gear and of course their most precious cargo - their camels!

For the next 20 days they will be sitting in the desert of Al Gharbia the Western Region of Abu Dhabi emirate just like in the old days. They will share stories cook under the open sky and compete in the camel mazeyna - the camel beauty competitions.

Indeed it's that time of the year again! Al Dhafra Festival now in its ninth year is back in Madinat Zayed.

"It took us 10 days to get here from Salalah in South Oman. We brought with us 10 of our Assayel the pure bred golden camel that are originally from Oman; and Majahim the black camels that come from Saudi Arabia" Mohammed Saeed Musallam Al Mahri told Khaleej Times.

Mohammed was among the first participants to set camp in Al Dhafra Festival which spreads for kilometres over the flat desert beyond Madinat Zayed.

Back home he has over 100 camels that earn his daily bread.

"Camels are still a very good business. We don't breed racing camels only milk ones. Majahim is best for milk; she can give 10 litres of milk in one milking session" he said.

Organised by the Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee - Abu Dhabi (CPHFC) from December 10-30 Al Dhafra Festival 2015 is bigger than ever before with nearly 2000 camel owners expected to take part in the 103 rounds of the camel competitions.

"Al Dhafra Festival has managed to promote the authentic Emirati heritage and reinforce the valuable efforts made to ensure its safeguard and protection" stated Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei chairman of CPHFC.

"Tales of ancient history civilisation and modernity are awaiting visitors who will experience a unique harmony between the authenticity of the past and the excellence of the present" he added.

One camp two festivals

For the first time this year Baynounah Camel Festival the competition that used to be held just before Al Dhafra for Emirati camel breeders was made part of Al Dhafra which is opened to participants from all over Arab Gulf.

"There are several reasons why we combined the two. First we had to coordinate with the heritage festival in Al Wathba and we didn't want two heritage festivals to clash" said Abdullah Butti Al Qubaisi director of Projects Management at CPHFC.

"It is also more convenient for participants as they don't have to set up camp then pack up only to return a week later and set the camp again. Now they can set just one camp and enjoy the festival and the competitions for both Baynounah and Al Dhafra".

The first four days of the festival until December 14 are dedicated to Baynounah camel mazeyna (beauty competition). Just as with Al Dhafra both Assayel and Majahim may be entered in the Baynounah competition rounds as long as they are bred in the UAE and owned by Emirati camel breeders.

"In the first day of the festival we already had 200 camels taking part in the 10 Assayel and 10 Majahim competitions" said Obaid Khalfan Al Mazrouei director of Heritage Competitions at CPHFC.

"Altogether there are 37 rounds for Baynounah competitions and each top winner of all of them will receive Dh100000" he added.

Baynounah camel mazeyna will award a total of Dh640000 in cash as each round will give prizes to the top five winners.

Silvia Radan I'm a senior journalist with 22 years experience in all forms of mass media. Originally from Romania I lived and work in Bosnia Uzbekistan England and for the past 10 years in UAE. I specialize in art culture traditions heritage but also environment and the hospitality industry. I'm passionate about jazz and world music cinema mythology and offroading - I'm a marshal with one of UAE's offroading clubs!