Q Life Magazine Q Magazine (US) May 2016 | Page 47
Qatari Lifestyle: Merging Tradition with Modernity |
Falconry:
Keeping the Tradition Alive
F
alconry has always been a beloved sport in Qatar, dating back to its roots in
the ancient Bedouin societies of the Arabian Peninsula. Hunters trained the
falcons to pursue migratory birds, which served as a primary source of meat in
these cultures.
Though the practice at one time reached across the Middle East and Europe, it is
now practiced principally in Qatar and other Gulf countries.
Falconry Today
As Qatar has rapidly modernized, so too has the sport of falconry. Today, the
training of these birds of prey has been turned into an art form, with many trainers
spending hours a day with hooded falcons on their arm.
Serious falconers must be well-equipped for their ventures into the desert, making
modern falconry gear as impressive as the determination needed to excel at it.
Hunters use large, custom 4x4 vehicles to transport their birds and even have
specialist GPS locators to track the birds.
These falcons are extremely well cared for, with dedicated veterinary clinics and
pharmacies available to them. The most valuable falcons are even issued their own
passports to protect them from smuggling or theft.
Celebrating Tradition
Qatar hosts a variety of festivals honoring and celebrating falconry, including the
Qatar International Falcons and Hunting Festival, which saw its seventh annual
iteration earlier this year. Though most participants come from the Gulf region,
many travel great distances to join.
Although falconry has changed considerably over the centuries, it remains an
important part of the Qatari national identity. And while Doha locals no longer
depend on the birds for sustenance, the falcons, still sold in the city’s Souq Waqif,
help bond modern citizens to their rich cultural history.
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