Photo By Master Sgt. Daniel Palermo | CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait –Soldiers from Camp Arifjan had the opportunity to observe a...... read more read more
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By Master Sgt. Daniel Palermo
28 ID, Task Force Spartan Public Affairs
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait –– Soldiers from Camp Arifjan had the opportunity to observe a camel race and ride a camel during a morale, welfare and recreation (MWR) cultural event in Kabad, southwest of Kuwait City, March 31.
The sharing of cultural events aims to increase cultural awareness as well as enhance the morale of service members stationed in Kuwait.
"We are over 6,000 miles away from home operating in a foreign country,” said, 1st Lt. Amanda Wendling, assistant operations officer and MWR coordinator with Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion (HHBN), 28th Infantry Division. “We can't appreciate this land, its people and culture from behind the gates of the installation. The MWR program is our opportunity to immerse with the local community and experience a culture that is novel to us as individuals, but very old in the scheme of history.”
Host nation cultural events provide soldiers with first-hand experience to enhance their understanding of the differences in cultures and help to facilitate stronger communication and bond with the Kuwaiti people.
“The MWR program isn’t just an opportunity for us to learn, but also a chance for us to say something about ourselves through the way we behave and treat the people that we interact with,” said Wendling.
Camel racing is a centuries-old cultural tradition and customary pastime of Kuwait. The camel racing season begins late October and ends sometime in April. However, depending on the weather, it may begin earlier or end later in the year. There is no entrance fee to attend camel racing or to ride a camel.
"Being able to attend the camel race in Kuwait and to get out into the community and interact with the nationals was a great experience,” said Spc. Erin Murphy, a human resource specialist with Headquarters and Support Company (HSC), HHBN, 28th Infantry Division, “To be able to become immersed in the culture really gave me an understanding of this new place where I’m stationed."
Unlike American horse racing, remote controlled robots that look like miniature jockeys ride the camels. The camel owners race in their vehicle on the outer side of the track alongside the camel to operate the robot.
“Camel racing is a lot different than the horse racing back home,” said Spc. Ashley Standard, human resource specialist with HSC. “It was interesting to me that there were no bets involved and that there were no prizes for the winner; the racing was just for fun.”
| Date Taken: | 03.31.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 04.09.2018 08:37 |
| Story ID: | 272247 |
| Location: | KW |
| Web Views: | 238 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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