Introduced by the Portuguese between the 17th and 18th centuries, Bull Butting in Fujairah is a bizarre but popular family event. It has been practiced for hundreds of years. Every Friday evening in the cooler months, it takes place in a muddy patch of the Fujairah Corniche around 5 PM (except during Ramadan) attracting a lot of tourists and families on an open field. In the arena, two sumo-sized, humpbacked animals lock horns and pit their strength against each other as hundreds of locals cheer them on. The day begins with 20 bulls battling each other, and numbers slowly dwindle as winners move on to the next round. Little harm comes to the bulls beyond a sore head and dented pride. There is no prize money, but a win increases the value of the bull and brings honor to its owner. For tourists, the contest has an extra frisson of danger, as even though bulls are tied up and handled by attendants, they sometimes break free and have been known to charge spectators, especially those in red.

Entry: Free