Horse and Camel Ardhah

Horse and Camel Ardhah

Horse and camel Ardhah is a tradition practiced in many areas in Oman, where people gather on the day of the show around the racecourse to watch the performances of horse and camel riders, which reflects the skill of Omanis in dealing with and taming animals. These performances are accompanied by a group of traditional arts, such as reciting traditional poems.
Alardhah begins by displaying traditional acts such as horses and camels lying down, riding standing up, holding the hand of another rider on a running horse at great speed, and other similar actions. This is followed by shows of horses and camels draped with decorative clothing and beautiful silver sets.
Alardhah tradition is associated with many social occasions in Omani society, such as religious celebrations and national holidays, and is an integral part of the culture of the community in rural and urban areas. Alardhah involves both men and women, and it also represents an opportunity for traditional bands and craftsmen to showcase their talents.
Civil organizations also play a major role in transferring those skills, and horse groups at the university teach students equestrian skills in addition to how to perform Alardhah.
Horse and Camel Ardhah was inscribed in 2018 on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in Oman.
by moaksey, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Horse and Camel Ardhah

Date of Inscription

2018