Camel jumping, a popular sport, is deeply rooted in the heritage of Yemen. The history of this sport dates back to ancient times in the country, but it experienced long periods of interruption before being revived by members of the Yemeni “Al-Zaranik” tribe during wedding celebrations. This sport is closely associated with the “Al-Zaranik” tribe, one of the prominent tribes in Yemen residing in the Tihama coastal areas of the Yemeni province of Al-Hudaydah.

Champions of this sport reside in the Tihama desert in Yemen, where these young men compete by showcasing their exceptional skills in jumping over as many camels as possible. The competition begins with jumping over one camel and reaches its peak when competitors attempt to jump over five camels. The winner is declared a hero, earning the admiration and respect of all.

Camel jumping simulates the combat performance that the “Al-Zaranik” tribe is known for. The practice of this sport is tied to the geographical location, where the camel is considered a symbol of the desert where these athletes live, known as the “Tihama Desert.” Children in the tribe begin learning this sport from the age of seven, starting by jumping over a camel lying on the ground, and gradually progressing to jumping over two camels. Over time, they learn jumping techniques using sticks and continuously develop their skills until they can jump over seven camels.

The camel jumping track has specific specifications, with a length ranging from fifty to sixty meters. This distance is divided into two-thirds, with the first third allocated to the running race, the second third for the jumping process, and the last third of the track is designated for the placement of what is known as the “Meythab,” a small dome that rises about twenty centimeters above the ground’s surface and is composed of a mixture of grass, dirt, and water.

After placing the “Meythab,” the camels are lined up closely in a single row, and it is a requirement that all camels have the same height. The player races along the running track, then uses his bare feet to jump over the “Meythab” and successfully land on the other side. This side is mainly covered with sand, which distinguishes the camel jumping track and is an essential part of this traditional sport.