(13 Jan 2021) LEAD IN:
Two of the biggest Bedouin tribes from South Sinai organise a camel race held annually in the Egyptian desert.
STORY-LINE:
Dozens of camels sped through the Egyptian desert in South Sinai in a race held annually in the area.
From their speeding cars, the camel owners accompanied the animals through every step of the way to encourage them to win.
The owners may drive big, four-wheel drive vehicles but their camels remain a source of pride and traditional wealth for them.
The race would normally cover 35 kilometres but was shortened to only 22 this year due to bad weather.
"That's an annual contest organised once every year and it is one of the biggest races all over Egypt," says Taba resident Said al-Bayadi.
The prizes handed out to the winners at the end of the race are mainly made up of tribal donations.
This year's winner was Salem Hassan, a Tarabin tribe member whose camel has previously won races before in Saudi Arabia.
A race-winning camel can fetch up to 180,000 Egyptian pounds ($25,000) in Egypt, and even more money in Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
This race has been held in the same area for decades and is considered a tribal tradition.
Very few tourists were spotted during the race this year as Egypt's tourism sector remains one of the hardest hit by coronavirus pandemic.
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