Falconry is a much cherished sport in the UAE, where it has been practiced for generations. It is a living legacy, with its rules and practices passed down in families. A bird of prey once, the falcon is also an important symbol in the country, but sadly faces some threats too.
Having been reportedly practiced for more than 2,000 years, falconry in the UAE is rooted deep in the country’s Bedouin culture and is one of its traditional sports. Said to be a legacy of the country’s hot and harsh climate, the sport has evolved out of the Emiratis’ use of the bird as a hunting tool to obtain food.
“Falcons used to be like a companion to people in old days, as they would help them catch a prey. Today they are used for falconry, which is a popular sport in the UAE,” says Shada Mekazi, a tour guide with Sharjah Tourism.
Today, the falcon is a treasured bird and a symbol of high stature, and falconry a distinct sport of strict rules and practices.
The falcon is the fastest animal alive. It’s vision is eight times more powerful than humans and it can eat up to 20 pc of its own body weight in one sitting. Such is its power and thus it requires a great deal of patience and expertise to deal with it or participate in falconry.
Traditionally the skills of the sport are passed down through generations but falconry schools and workshops let non-Emiratis and tourists try their hand at it. Competitive falconry festivals are also held across the country, letting the falconers score their skills.
“For competitions, Emiratis also go to other countries such as Pakistan and Kazakhstan. It is an expensive hobby. Those taking their falcons abroad have to pay the regular price of air ticket, sometimes more,” says Mekazi.
Falcon races are held annually in the UAE, for which the birds are trained over months. Part of their training also includes making them chase cars, which run at two-four kmph, so they are prepped for final races. During the competition, these birds of prey are enticed using bait such as pigeon wings, chicken or turkey.
A heritage at harm
Falconry is an intangible cultural heritage of the UAE, one that is also represented on its bank notes, official logos including the emblem of the government of Abu Dhabi. A niche sport, it is seeing efforts being put in by the government and sports enthusiasts to preserve it for future generations.
In its pursuit to preserve the sport and to promote sustainable hunting practices, the UAE government also successfully registered falconry as a living human heritage in the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity which was announced in November, 2010.
Giving the intangible heritage a more tangible stature, there is the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, the world’s largest and most advanced falcon hospital. Located close to Abu Dhabi International Airport, it also houses a falcon display museum and has a facility with free-flying falcons. Tourists can visit here in a guided trip and also visit its luxurious wards where the birds are kept and also try their hand at the unique sport.
There is also the Pro-Falcon Centre, the largest falcon breeding centre in the world established in Al Ain. The project aims to encourage the use of captive-bred falcons instead of the endangered wild falcons in falconry.
But sadly, the falcons are being harmed by excessive human interference. As some deserts get an urban makeover, electrocution and habitat loss are becoming a concern. According to the International Association for Falconry (IFA), an estimated 4,000 saker falcons (Falco cherrug) are electrocuted every year due to power lines in Central Asia. The saker falcon is a favourite species used by Gulf falconers and classified as endangered by the International Union Conservation. Another threat to the prey birds is the illegal trading, as they get sold at a hefty price.
