![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Y5G25BQQCQ2NWBN6GDMH54PAVA.jpg?smart=true&auth=3a8613b1f4c69d916e48583a4dcf121fcb29d726a75005dfe562a085f2f9361d&width=400&height=225)
A band from the village brings the event to an end with a parade and drums. Courtesy David Ismael
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MUZ4X22PTHWQ4BTNIEYU4JDTMI.jpg?smart=true&auth=05a83104f25c35b3d32759fa031b51068050989549f71945c829f334facf7c66&width=400&height=225)
The camel and horse races in Yahmadi are held not for prize money, but to uphold traditions. Courtesy David Ismael
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7UBLTKSGTKL5SL6VTTOUO4BWXA.jpg?smart=true&auth=4828a9af2318a1b831b9064eeb06edd3acd72f3bd520be87dd1b0b4e89c6db81&width=400&height=225)
About a two-hour drive from Muscat, these races are the highlights of the biggest weddings and holidays in Yahmadi. Courtesy David Ismael
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/J33LPQ3RFJTN5QS3VR65CDHDEI.jpg?smart=true&auth=4eab5b2a68e9132f95091675a7b2299865e78962e6283a719ed140930d6a75f7&width=400&height=225)
On top of mounds that serve as impromptu bleachers, hundreds of people from every part of Oman’s Ash Sharqiyah North Governorate have gathered. Courtesy David Ismael.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CBEFT6KKTETUVQHUVV2DDDWPP4.jpg?smart=true&auth=c8546c5df83ace61aa51ddb451efbbed45fa19748f76e4dda876130a98942779&width=400&height=225)
These public exhibitions offers a glimpse at one of Oman’s most prestigious traditions. Courtesy David Ismael
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NFP2GXNLVZYGQJ2DFNOMUHFHTU.jpg?smart=true&auth=5e32dce91d7b3626f80a8f463e9713af18f9b68861d4c71608796caeeb17f6c0&width=400&height=225)
A pair of camels racing in Yahmadi. Riders perform for free and no prizes are given. Courtesy David Ismael
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UZUNGIN3ZUMUW2FS6KBOP6QMKQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=0b1efe2d50e1705d20e53d1bd22772451097c4a43386e5acdeca1b3fc79e69c4&width=400&height=225)
In all, around 40 horses and 120 camels race in Yahmadi. Courtesy David Ismael
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZUT2M6AOKDKUJT5M5GOXREIUVQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=0d3ff6c0111e4c424123719289a2bb12bbfa5335bafd3aa1ccb52b7ec872e21c&width=400&height=225)
For the spectators and performers, they are as much a celebration of the past as they are a way of sharing their heritage with young people. Courtesy David Ismael
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EIZWRZYTG5LAW2PWDDZ6ZYVV2I.jpg?smart=true&auth=8fde95e88cd2509489ad846ea8e10ae72e86654b4d994091be42a0680ccfc9ad&width=400&height=225)
Horsemen in Yahmadi. Courtesy David Ismael
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Muatassim Al Maskari, 10, proudly calls his horse his friend. Courtesy of David Ismael
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YCSHUDMLT75Z2ZMQSQFYGKO4MY.jpg?smart=true&auth=5ca5e5f7d15e808352a226f3e84833341396985a968692bebd40cb8927505791&width=400&height=225)
Muatassim (holding the rope) and his uncle Mohammad with their horse. Courtesy of David Ismael
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Y5G25BQQCQ2NWBN6GDMH54PAVA.jpg?smart=true&auth=3a8613b1f4c69d916e48583a4dcf121fcb29d726a75005dfe562a085f2f9361d&width=400&height=225)
A band from the village brings the event to an end with a parade and drums. Courtesy David Ismael
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MUZ4X22PTHWQ4BTNIEYU4JDTMI.jpg?smart=true&auth=05a83104f25c35b3d32759fa031b51068050989549f71945c829f334facf7c66&width=400&height=225)
The camel and horse races in Yahmadi are held not for prize money, but to uphold traditions. Courtesy David Ismael
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7UBLTKSGTKL5SL6VTTOUO4BWXA.jpg?smart=true&auth=4828a9af2318a1b831b9064eeb06edd3acd72f3bd520be87dd1b0b4e89c6db81&width=400&height=225)
About a two-hour drive from Muscat, these races are the highlights of the biggest weddings and holidays in Yahmadi. Courtesy David Ismael
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/J33LPQ3RFJTN5QS3VR65CDHDEI.jpg?smart=true&auth=4eab5b2a68e9132f95091675a7b2299865e78962e6283a719ed140930d6a75f7&width=400&height=225)
On top of mounds that serve as impromptu bleachers, hundreds of people from every part of Oman’s Ash Sharqiyah North Governorate have gathered. Courtesy David Ismael.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CBEFT6KKTETUVQHUVV2DDDWPP4.jpg?smart=true&auth=c8546c5df83ace61aa51ddb451efbbed45fa19748f76e4dda876130a98942779&width=400&height=225)
These public exhibitions offers a glimpse at one of Oman’s most prestigious traditions. Courtesy David Ismael
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NFP2GXNLVZYGQJ2DFNOMUHFHTU.jpg?smart=true&auth=5e32dce91d7b3626f80a8f463e9713af18f9b68861d4c71608796caeeb17f6c0&width=400&height=225)
A pair of camels racing in Yahmadi. Riders perform for free and no prizes are given. Courtesy David Ismael
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UZUNGIN3ZUMUW2FS6KBOP6QMKQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=0b1efe2d50e1705d20e53d1bd22772451097c4a43386e5acdeca1b3fc79e69c4&width=400&height=225)
In all, around 40 horses and 120 camels race in Yahmadi. Courtesy David Ismael
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZUT2M6AOKDKUJT5M5GOXREIUVQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=0d3ff6c0111e4c424123719289a2bb12bbfa5335bafd3aa1ccb52b7ec872e21c&width=400&height=225)
For the spectators and performers, they are as much a celebration of the past as they are a way of sharing their heritage with young people. Courtesy David Ismael
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EIZWRZYTG5LAW2PWDDZ6ZYVV2I.jpg?smart=true&auth=8fde95e88cd2509489ad846ea8e10ae72e86654b4d994091be42a0680ccfc9ad&width=400&height=225)
Horsemen in Yahmadi. Courtesy David Ismael
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LXEKBRP3RWXAJWZO7O4YCNOUGA.jpg?smart=true&auth=8a1bfdb679f5c080a9371368416e6aa5fd6ef59b7dde2389e6caadc5fc89f32c&width=400&height=225)
Muatassim Al Maskari, 10, proudly calls his horse his friend. Courtesy of David Ismael
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YCSHUDMLT75Z2ZMQSQFYGKO4MY.jpg?smart=true&auth=5ca5e5f7d15e808352a226f3e84833341396985a968692bebd40cb8927505791&width=400&height=225)
Muatassim (holding the rope) and his uncle Mohammad with their horse. Courtesy of David Ismael
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Y5G25BQQCQ2NWBN6GDMH54PAVA.jpg?smart=true&auth=3a8613b1f4c69d916e48583a4dcf121fcb29d726a75005dfe562a085f2f9361d&width=400&height=225)
A band from the village brings the event to an end with a parade and drums. Courtesy David Ismael
Riding 'for love': The traditional Omani camel and horse races that have no prizes
To all those gathered in the village of Yahmadi, a two-hour drive from Muscat, these kinds of events are the highlights of the biggest weddings and holidays
David Ismael
26 August, 2019
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