Yemen Observer: http://www.yobserver.com
Posted in:
Culture & Society
Written By: Khalid al-Syaghi
Article Date: Apr 5, 2008 - 11:43:29 PM
Yemenis riding camels in part of festival celebrating al-Zaraneeq culture.
|
Sporting games in the folkloric heritage of any civilization are regarded as one of most important aspects of a nation’s history that many generations take pride in. These old games are considered an essential symbol of individual and societal identity and are often maintained throughout the ages.
Yemen, or Arabia Felix as it was called by the Greeks, is full of such folkloric games that have been passed on through the generations as Yemenis practiced them as contests of strength and power as well as a means of making a living. Sports such as horse and camel racing, hunting, shooting and running of all sorts were key facets of life.
One of the most ancient festivals that still celebrates these games is the al-Husseinia festival, which is considered the father of all folkloric festivals in Yemen. It is a tradition that has been celebrated since historic times, aiming to create strong competitions, especially in horse and camel racing, other folkloric games and various dances.
The festival is attributed to have been a tradition of the al-Zaraneeq tribe, one of the most powerful tribes in the area. They used to train their children in fighting and self defense, because it was the strong and energetic individuals who were capable of defending the land against assailants and who were granted the utmost respect. Sources insist that the tribal children used to master horse and camel riding, violent wrestling, fencing and the sport of chasing gazelles and catching them alive. The tribe also engaged in war with former Imam Yahai, according to their chief Yahiya Munasar, and suffered much harassment at his hands.
The al-Zaraneeq are originally from the al- Mu’azibah group of the Azd tribe. The al-Zaraneeq are a branch of the al- Mu’azibah, yet the name of their branch has dominated. The al-Zaraneeq have been divided into several groups, with the al- Mu’azibah being the faction who have been given the name of the original tribe. Other family names in the group include Bano Mhammed, al-Amari, Bano Mashor, Bano al-Jonaid, al-Habaliah, al-Bahadra, al-Oqba, Bano Atta, al-Marabia, al-Ma’arif and al-Awamir, among others.
The book of Yemeni groups and tribes mentions that Zarnaq Bin Walid is from the Mu’azibah, Yemeni scholars who live in al-Taif, in Tihama, south of Hudeidah. They are the largest tribe in the area.
Horse riding is part of the festival celebrated in al-Zaraneeq tribal style.
|
The province of al-Husseinia that hosts the festival is a historical province that sources say was established one thousand years ago in what is considered one of the most beautiful areas in the governorate of al-Hudeidah.
The dispersal of the al-Zaraneeq over a vast area in modern times threatened this tribal tradition, and the al-Husseiniah festival was on its way to extinction, but official support helped to revive it and give new life to the sports races and public games of the al-Zaraneeq tribe.
In 1984, the former governor of al-Hudeidah, the late Sheikh Abdul-Rahman Ali Othman visited al-Husseinia and was received and welcomed by the citizens of the al-Zaraneeq tribe. The local young people showed their abilities in jumping over camels and running, which resulted in the Sheikh ordering that this festival would become an annual event to show Yemenis and others the talents that the young people had. There were and still there are many teenagers participating that can jump over six camels. What these young people need is some knowledge of sporting rules and then they might be able to compete on an international level and even break Olympic records.
Infrastructure was provided for the town’s improvement to prepare it to receive thousands of spectators. The fields were prepared for camel and horse races, to Olympic standards. Spectators' platforms, stables, horse washing racks and other facilities were built that would accommodate the thousands who rush to see the annual festival.
With the passing of time, other spectacular folklore games were gradually added to the festival and are now contributing to the revival of this historic event.
The al-Husseinia festival is now an annual occasion for bringing tribal people together. To guarantee a great deal of participation, it is held after the harvest season at the end of winter every year. This year’s festival started at the end of February.
The tribe’s youth, elders and horsemen gather together from all areas, for ten days. Fierce competitions of horse and camel racing, running, jumping over camels, wrestling and tight-rope walking are held. Folkloric dance and poetry presentations are also included as part of the festival.
More than eight hundred young participants, both male and female, from twenty-four provinces in the governorate of al-Hudeidah and from all the twenty-one governorates in Yemen participated this year. There were 500 participants in the horse races, 220 in the camel races and 50 in the jumping over camels competition.
Many traditions characterize the people of this area, especially the white uniform covering the body from head to toe. Another distinction is the long frizzle African hair which is part of the coastal tribal custom. The al-Zaraneeq lifestyle is full of interesting surprises which would require a book to tell.
This year the festival was unique in that it was attended by President Ali Abdullah Saleh who sponsored it and called for great support. He stressed the importance of continuing to organize it annually to revive these traditional games and sports. This year’s festival was prepared for early with a wide range of other cultural activities included displaying various artifacts from Tihama and making this festival as important as any other festival organized on the Arabian Peninsula. President Saleh called on all countries in the Arab World to take part in the competition.