Hil Van Der Waal ARPS - Camel Ardha - DPOTY 2019 Finalist

Hil Van Der Waal ARPS - 'Camel Ardha, A camel showcasing event in Oman' - DPOTY 2019 Finalist

RPS Documentary Photographer of the Year 2019

The Camel Ardha is a frequent event in the Sultanate of Oman, a peaceful country in the Middle-East. The tribal communities, mostly Bedouins, meet regularly, bringing their camels to participate in this particular race over several days. The tradition goes back centuries.

The main purpose of Ardha is to showcase the beauty and strength of the Arabian camel, riding them side by side in a straight track. However, these camels don’t race but instead, the main goal is for them to run as a pair, perfectly in tandem, thus demonstrating their obedience and control by the riders.

In this fast changing modern country, the Omani Government encourages that this old tradition is retained and such events held regularly, offering large prizes to the winners. This Omani tradition has recently been added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

Hil Van Der Waal ARPS

Hil Van Der Waal ARPS

Hil Van Der Waal ARPS

Hil Van Der Waal ARPS

Hil Van Der Waal ARPS

Hil Van Der Waal ARPS

Privileged to live in the Sultanate of Oman for more than six years, I discovered this yearly multi-day event, Camel Ardha, that captivated me from the first moment I witnessed it. I knew immediately this was something unique and versatile, and I realised that it would take me several return visits to understand what was going on, to visualise the various aspects, and to really immerse myself. I had seen a few single photographs of Camel Ardha before, but as far as I know, there is no extended imagery on the subject. Last year I exhibited my images and was the first photographer to have brought this tradition to many Omanis from the capital who had not seen it before.

I’ve been working on this project for almost four years. The first four day event that I attended was in February 2016. I returned every year, most recently in November 2019. The six images I submitted for the DPOTY are part of a series of some 40 to 50 photographs that tell the story of the tradition of Camel Ardha in various details, zoomed in and out.

It was literally challenging being close, and I mean very close, to the action of riders and camels. I was allowed to make my shots where and how I wanted, choosing interesting points of view, provided I didn’t get in the way of anyone, of course. I always had eyes in front and back to monitor what happened around me. A camel can be unpredictable, and on several occasions, I had to run to avoid a collision with this dangerously heavy animal.

I want to pass on the message that old traditions can still be alive and are important for people in this world. They connect people and encourage respect for each other’s ancient cultures. Among them are the Bedouins who have a high regard for and owe a lot to the camel, dating from the time they lived a nomadic life. Camel Ardha was recently added to UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. It is good to know that an organisation such as UNESCO deals with the protection of vulnerable cultures. Last but not least, I hope that people in the West become acquainted with the most friendly people of a peaceful Arab country, the Sultanate of Oman.

Depending on the country I live in (I’ve been living abroad for the last 20 years, due to the international career of my wife), I focus on the subjects that are most appealing to me. I try to find an angle or a statement that makes it attractive to repeatedly go back to places. I have a weakness for vanishing cultures.

I read what’s available on my subject. I approach people. I check dates of events. I set my alarm clock and set off, day after day. Each day I check my shots to see if I have to improve some aspects of my story. Next day I go on.

For this project, on the tradition of Camel Ardha, I decided to show the story in a rich black and white, just to be able to focus better on the essence of the image. It helped that the white dishdashes worn by the men form a nice contrast in these black and white images.

I am Dutch-born (1959), currently living between the Sultanate of Oman, The Netherlands and France. I gained my Associate distinction in 2011 and am also a member of the Photographic Society of Oman.

I have travelled a lot and lived in various countries of the world. This has given me the opportunity to immerse myself in communities like semi-nomadic tribal life in remote Borneo, Bedouins in Oman’s desert, Buddhist temple life in North-East Thailand, family life behind the walls of a traditional Moroccan village, small scale farm life in Scotland, street life and labourers in mega cities in India, or aboard a wooden dhow with Iranian seafarers in Dubai’s Creek.

I am a keen landscape and street photographer using both digital, and medium format analogue. I organise photo workshops for beginners and advanced photographers in the French Dordogne.

Mark Phillips (Chair, RPS Documentary Group) presents Hil Van Der Waal with his DPOTY 2019 finalist's certificate and prize