Secretary-General of the Ministry of Culture, Dr. Nidal Al-Ayasrah, affirmed that heritage and camel festivals represent important milestones in reinforcing Jordan’s national narrative, as they embody cultural and historical values that reflect the Kingdom’s authentic identity and help pass traditional heritage on to future generations.
اضافة اعلان
His remarks came while patronizing, on behalf of Minister of Culture Mustafa Al-Rawashdeh, the activities of the Wadi Araba Heritage Camel Festival. The event was organized by the Bedouin Camel Cultural Society, the Bedouin Heritage and Folk Arts Society, and the Camel Riders Association, in cooperation with the Nakhila Tourism Association, at the Rahma Visitor Center in Wadi Araba. The festival was attended by Wadi Araba District Director Eng. Nawaf Al-Bdour and Aqaba Culture Directorate Director Tariq Al-Bdour.
Al-Ayasrah said that such heritage events contribute to preserving Jordan’s popular heritage and encouraging local communities to showcase their culture and history. He noted that camel heritage is an integral part of Jordanian Bedouin culture and reflects an important aspect of the national narrative, which is founded on the Kingdom’s cultural and human diversity.
He added that the Ministry of Culture continues its efforts to protect and document elements of intangible cultural heritage, highlighting Jordan’s success in registering several cultural elements on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. These include the Jordanian Samer folk art, Mansaf, and the Mahras Tree tradition, strengthening Jordanian culture’s presence on the international stage.
The festival was organized to celebrate Jordan’s authentic cultural heritage and highlight Bedouin traditions, which form an essential part of the national identity. Through camel racing and related customs, traditions, and folk arts passed down through generations, the event showcased the richness of Jordan’s cultural legacy.
For his part, Festival Director Ali Al-Ahiyat stated that the event aims to preserve Bedouin heritage, enhance the status of camels as a symbol of authentic Arab culture, support tourism and cultural activities in Wadi Araba, and highlight the region’s unique heritage and natural attractions.
The festival featured an exhibition of traditional handicrafts from Wadi Araba, including woven textiles, palm-frond products, pottery, copperwork, and heritage accessories. Activities also included camel-related performances, folk art and Samer shows presented by the Al-Risha Folk Arts Troupe, as well as Nabati poetry evenings and cultural presentations depicting the authenticity of Jordanian Bedouin life.
The Wadi Araba Heritage Camel Festival serves as a cultural platform that brings together heritage, sports, and folk arts. It contributes to strengthening pride in national identity, reinforcing Jordan’s national narrative based on cultural diversity and civilizational heritage, while also supporting cultural tourism and local development in the Wadi Araba region.
