In the deserts of northern Qatar, kids with a falcon perched on gloves on their left arms showcase their looking birds in a bid to protect an age-old custom.
These “Little Falconers” have gathered in a tent forward of the soccer World Cup in the gas-rich Gulf emirate, in a bid to introduce guests to a apply inherited from their forefathers.
“This is my first participation in the competitors,” says 11-year-old Breik al-Marri, wearing flowing white robes beside his falcon Gasham, a leather-based hood obstructing the chicken’s view.
“I like Gasham and I handle him,” stated Marri, sliding his left arm right into a thick leather-based gauntlet to shield him from the raptor’s sharp talons.
Falconry was added to the Unesco listing of intangible cultural heritage in 2010, in international locations together with Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Qatari youths have a look at birds on sale in Souq Waqif market in Doha forward of the Qatar 2022 World Cup soccer match. Photo: AFP
“Originally a method of acquiring meals, falconry … has been built-in into communities as a social and leisure apply and as a manner of connecting with nature,” the culture company stated.
‘Strength of dedication’
“I discovered this sport from my grandfathers, father and uncles,” stated Marri. “I discovered from them the power of dedication and the way to handle the falcon.”
Marri explains that the hood helps preserve the chicken of prey calm. As quickly as the falcon regains sight, he factors out, the behaviour adjustments.
“Once, my brother got here whereas the falcon did not have the hood on, and he tried to pet the chicken, however the falcon bit him,” he added. “The falcon was scared!”
Marri lately participated with a dozen others in the “Promising Falconers” contest for 11-15 12 months olds.
A Qatari teenager takes a photograph of a falcon on the market in a store in Doha. Photo: AP
The contest sees every younger falconer select the excellent second to launch their chicken so as to snatch their prey, a lure waved about 200m (about 650 ft) away.
The winner of the contest is the falconer whose chicken captures the prey the quickest.
‘Beautiful sport’
Also collaborating in the contest was 15-year-old Saeed al-Jamila, who named his falcon Hayya – after the particular fan passes for the FIFA World Cup, which runs from Nov 20 to Dec 18.
Expressing pleasure at the multiple million followers anticipated to descend on his small nation for the match, he hopes to ship a message encouraging them to attempt falconry themselves.
“They ought to attempt it, they will not lose something,” he stated. “It’s a wonderful sport.”
But whereas pleasure abounded for the younger falconers on this division, it was undoubtedly the “Little Falconers” aged six to 10 who stole the present.
One by one, they trailed out in a row, every holding a looking bag, whereas on their proper arm they balanced the birds whose claws had been greater than the kids’s palms.
In the deserts of northern Qatar, kids with a falcon perched on gloves on their left arms showcase their looking birds in a bid to protect an age-old custom. Photo: AFP
Eight-year-old Hamad al-Nuaimi stepped out in entrance of the panel of judges, who started questioning on looking instruments, their makes use of and properties.
At one level, Nuaimi stumbled for a response to one among the questions, solely to be helped alongside by one among the judges.
The function of the contest is to “protect our heritage and that of our forefathers. We are passing this heritage to this technology,” says panel member Saad al-Muhannadi.
The little falconers are then examined on their skill to correctly take away the birds’ hoods, then to efficiently place them from their arm to a perch, securing their ft utilizing a particular knot.
“Hunting teaches a person perseverance and self-reliance,” stated Muhannadi, as the sturdy scent of espresso wafted from close by.
He hoped that the internet hosting of the World Cup would grant Qatar the alternative to “unfold our culture and nationwide id”.
Falconry “is an historic sport, whether or not in Qatar or different Gulf international locations, it’s an genuine sport,” he stated. – AFP
