The Mazayen al-Maaz – or "Beautiful Traits of Goats" -- festival in mid June, saw the display of dozens of Damascene goats, which, in Saudi Arabia, can fetch their owners up to 250,000 Saudi Riyals (USD$ 67 000). That's some serious kish for a yoghurt producer!
The most prestigious animal to be bred, groomed and auctioned in the Gulf country is the Arabian Horse, (aww there ya go Lasalle Royal Flash!) but goats, including the Damascene goat with its distinctive protruding nose, have historically played a crucial role in traditional Arab nomadic lifestyle and economy.
The Mazayen al-Maaz festival, which draws enthusiasts from around the Arab Gulf, has developed and grown over the years. It now includes a beauty contest as well as auctions to sell some of the animals on display.
A judging panel critiques every feature, from face to legs. Exceptionally "beautiful" goats are valued at 30,000 Saudi Riyals ($USD8,000) and above.
"The judging concentrates on the goat's facial features, general traits, legs, and overall figure, the whole composition really. There is no body part which overshadows the other. However, in the first instance, the face is the most important. The Damascene goat is predominantly judged by its face," said Mohammed al-Umair, member of judging panel.
The owner of the winner the contest in Riyadh sold the goat but re-bought it in an auction. Now that's love of the goatee if ever I heard it!
"Regarding tonight's achievement, I sold my goat when he was young for 75,000 Riyals ($USD 20 000), and its new owner auctioned it for 150,000 Riyals ($USD40 000). We bought it back to our ownership, Thank Allah. Now, even if it were worth half a million, we won't sell it," said Mohammed al-Hawasi, owner of Friday's winning goat. (Well until they get hungry maybe).
Frankly, I don't know what it looks like but it don't look like a goat! (The winner was the grey one)
Sorry about the link but I couldn't find any embedded text for it.
Oh and the Friday Fuckwit . . . our building manager who in his wisdom and in an attempt to prevent water leaching into our office during heavy rain has drilled a 20cm diameter hole in the outside concrete patio which encourages water to flow directly underneath the building down into the carpark . . . well I guess it's not carpeted! Nice piece of engineering Rocky, how much did that set you back you tight arse . . and stop watering down the handwash in the loos!!
no shit? wow!
ReplyDeleteoh my. well.. there is lots you can do when you have money, isn't there. (no offence to their culture though.. i guess)
ReplyDeleteHi Baino, it's always nice to learn about something you didn't know about before you did learn about it, isn't it ;)
ReplyDeleteIsn't f'wit a great expression - it manages to flit through my mind every now and then ... more so if there's a politician on the tele *!*
I challenge your 'beautiful' goats to a contest against my gulls!
ReplyDeleteThey don't even have BEAKS! BWARK!!
ReplyDeleteLW how ugly are they? Seriously, I've never seen anything like it, even their ears are like tubes!
ReplyDeleteNo offence to their culture either Ebony but they breed the most beautiful horses in the world and then have a beauty pageant for the ugliest goats on God's earth! Go figure.
*Tsup* Bimbimbie (you know I had t practice that but it made complete sense when I did!). . .have to say that I've never in my life seen them before! Yeh sorry . .potty mouth syndrome . . too old to hold back!
Anony: Your gulls are beautiful but I had a nasty experience in South Australia where they came between me and my chips. There are two birds I truly don't like - gulls and white ibis!
Quite so your Majesty. They will not be invited into your kingdom! Forgive my insensitivity. (How's yer poor soor foot?) Local Loris pass on their BWARKS!
That is certainly a weird looking face! A goat??
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog .. and enjoy your new camera!
to each their own, i guess...
ReplyDeletei have a friend with three milk goats in north carolina, she sez goat cheese is selling for us$17/pound, at the farmers' market!
That's one gorgeous goat? Watering down the hand soap! That's funny!
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm not bothered what yer average goat looks like, just as long as I can keep eating goat's cheese. Yumm! I don't know what anyone sees in a goatee beard either - it just looks like they're trying to conceal some embarrassing chin deformity....
ReplyDeleteCrufts for Goats?
ReplyDeleteRoast goat, anyone?
Kahshe . . anyone that has a buddy image of a giggling retriever has to be visited . . .my pleasure
ReplyDeleteLW: I'm not a fan of goats cheese but it's taking off over here big time. I'm not sure what it costs but I'm sure it's not that expensive.
Red: Seriously, the soft soap in the bathroom is like water, it doesn't even 'sud'!
Not keen on goats cheese nick, it has a funny sweet aftertaste, gimme a cows camembert any time. I'm not keen on face hair as you know!
AV: I kid you not, I was once invited to an exclusive restaurant in Sydney but declined . . Claudes has a 'set' menu which comprised Pigeon Consomme, Chevre en sauce au Jus and Pudding De Bain au Buerre (bread and butter pudding!)
It sounded so much better in French!
The poor goat looks like a
ReplyDeletepicasso painting come to life!
i've not tried it, at that price, i won't :(
ReplyDeleteYowza! That thing looks more like a cartoon character than a goat! But I think I might have to snuggle him ... very fuzzy and he looks a bit chagrined at all the attention. :)
ReplyDeleteand I thought it was only Kiwis had a sheep fetish! I guess it's global then!
ReplyDeleteMelissa he's got a fierce underbite and in need of an orthodontist. You're a sucker for the warm and fuzzy!
ReplyDeleteQuickie: It's a GOAT . .although I don't think the sheep shaggers are fussy!