• Emirati men set up fishing nets on the shore during the Dalma Festival on Dalma Island, Abu Dhabi. All Photos AFP
    Emirati men set up fishing nets on the shore during the Dalma Festival on Dalma Island, Abu Dhabi. All Photos AFP
  • Emirati men perform Al Ayala on Dalma Island.
    Emirati men perform Al Ayala on Dalma Island.
  • An Emirati woman weaves.
    An Emirati woman weaves.
  • Dalma Island is about 40km off the Abu Dhabi coast in the Arabian Gulf.
    Dalma Island is about 40km off the Abu Dhabi coast in the Arabian Gulf.
  • Every October is Dalma Festival which culminates in a big Dhow Race to Sir Bani Yas Island.
    Every October is Dalma Festival which culminates in a big Dhow Race to Sir Bani Yas Island.
  • Emirati women sell clothes and perfume during the Dalma festival.
    Emirati women sell clothes and perfume during the Dalma festival.
  • Emirati girls run on the shore on Dalma Island.
    Emirati girls run on the shore on Dalma Island.
  • Emirati competitors sail their dhow past a crude oil tanker Navig8 Honor during the Dalma Sailing Festival. AFP
    Emirati competitors sail their dhow past a crude oil tanker Navig8 Honor during the Dalma Sailing Festival. AFP
  • Emirati competitors get ready to set sail. AFP
    Emirati competitors get ready to set sail. AFP
  • Emirati competitors sail their dhows in the Arabian Gulf.
    Emirati competitors sail their dhows in the Arabian Gulf.
  • Emirati sailors hoist their sail bearing the logo of UAE Founding Father Sheikh Zayed.
    Emirati sailors hoist their sail bearing the logo of UAE Founding Father Sheikh Zayed.
  • Dhows out on the Arabian Gulf.
    Dhows out on the Arabian Gulf.
  • Dhows out on the Arabian Gulf.
    Dhows out on the Arabian Gulf.

Dhows set sail for Dh25m prize money at Dalma Festival - in pictures


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The third Dalma Festival ends on Wednesday after almost a week of activities to promote Emirati heritage.

The highlight of the festival is the annual 60-foot traditional dhow race. Nearly 3,000 sailors operating more than 116 sailboats took part in the 11-hour race that began at 6.30am at the island in the western region of Abu Dhabi

emirate. Dh25 million in prize money awaited the winners.

Fishing, cooking and wicker weaving contests were also held with traditional heritage activities and performances on show for visitors.

The festival is organised by the Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region.