Pageantry, Art and Storytelling: Bikaner Honors Their “Ships of the Desert” During Their Yearly Camel Festival 

Known as the Land of the Kings, a result of a 22 kingdom merger, Rajasthan is the culturally rich northern region of India. Bikaner is a small town located in the Thar desert where camels have been an integral part of everyday life. From survival, to transportation, to delivering goods across the arid landscape. The camel has provided nourishment with its milk, been a tool for transport of people and goods and the most loyal of companions.

Each January to honor their beloved “ships of the desert”, as they refer to them, there is a festival held in their honor where these animal friends and their human companions get a chance to show off their skills from races, parades, dancing (yes, apparently camels can dance) and this writer’s personal favorite, camel fur cutting. 

The Process: A Master Class in Patience

Each year hundreds of camels are shown off in the hair cutting competitions however, this is no simple task. The Raika people of the region are a caste of semi-nomadic peoples who have passed many traditions down through generations, art, herding and patience included. One camel entry into the competition is the result of many many years of growth and preparation. Getting the fur to the correct thickness is an artform in and of itself, it takes an average of 2-3 years to achieve the perfect thickness, shape and length needed to begin the hair cutting process. Through thoughtful care and extensive inherited knowledge the participants’ savoir faire far exceeds a simple camel hair cut. 

The Art: Meaning Behind Each Snip

In the final year, when the artisan’s canvas is just the right length, thickness and shape it is time to begin crafting. This hair cutting ritual isn’t just about keeping the animal’s lengthy locks tamed, it’s about story telling, history and true artistry. The designs usually include latices, intricate patterns, twisting vines and stories of mythology and folklore in many cases. To bring their pieces to life some artists use hennas (natural dies) and chalk to create dimension and shadow. All a process that takes great time and patience both for the groomer and the camel, showcasing the incredible bond between the herder and their “desert ship”. 

Beyond the Camel: More Than a Camel Festival

The Bikaner Camel Festival celebrates more than just its rich history and relationship with the majestic camel that is so integral to daily life, trade and export, it is a celebration of the rich history of the entire Rajasthan region. This includes traditional dances, costumes and more.