Over 600 Mongolian herding families from six provinces have gathered for ‘Best of the Herd’ one of biggest camel festivals. The event was held at a site called Kharganat Khooloi in Zavkhanmandal Soum of Zavkhan Province. The festival aims at improving the breeds of the two-humped camel, attracting tourists and publicly recognising the hard work of the herders.

During the festival, 12 Galba Gobi red and Khana Khets brown camels, that have been certified as the top breeds of Mongolian camels have been given as presents to herders from the  Aldarkhaan, Durvuljin, Zavkhanmandal, Urgamal, Santmargaz, and Erdenekhairkhan soums of the province.

The festival programme also features a fair of camel-based products, as well as camel saddles and other items of equipment. There are lots of cultural events such as an ‘in praise of camels’ poetry event, the coaxing ritual for baby camels, and a contest for the couple with the best equipped camel. Furthermore, over 60 products made by herders have been showcased at the exhibition.

As of 2018, Zavkhan Province boasted a total of 7,800 camels; 2,000 are in its Durvuljin Soum.