Simply Abu Dhabi II

Abu Dhabi is a fascinating place steeped in history and traditions. Amongst the culture and many customs is a great love for falconry. Falconry developed with the emergence of civilizations and was already popular in the Middle East and Arabian Gulf region several millennia BC. Since pre-Islamic times, Arabia has had a proud history of flying hawks such as peregrines, lanners and sakers. Originally used by the Bedouins for hunting small game, historically falconry was a sport regarded as a status symbol among the nobles of medieval Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia. As such, it was largely restricted to these noble classes due to requirements of time, money, and space to practice the sport. In many aspects of culture falconry remained a status symbol long after it was no longer widely practiced, hence its popularity amongst the affluent classes in Abu Dhabi today. A popular sport among the ruling class, you’ll often see these birds being carried into Etihad Diamond First Class cabins at the height of the hunting season. Now deemed a national sport by the king himself, falconry – the use of trained birds of prey to catch game – holds great fascination as a pastime amongst the wealthy Emirati. A huge part of the Arab culture, this passion for falconry has seen the construction of the Abu Dhabi Falcon Research Hospital, a specialised clinic treating up to 4000 birds of prey each year. Arabian heritage One of nature’s most remarkable birds of prey, the falcon has always had a significant role in the history and culture of the Middle East and remains a prominent part of today’s Arab heritage. Everywhere you look there are reminders of Abu Dhabi’s passion for all things falcon – statues, the government logo, banknotes, the crests on the entrances to palaces and government ministries. Even the Abu Dhabi Golf Club Clubhouse is designed in the shape of a falcon! When you visit Abu Dhabi you can’t fail to notice the deep rooted interest in falconry and you can even take a tour of the world’s largest falcon hospital and gain an insight into this incredible sport. Guided tours include a visit to the Falcon Museum, a falcon show and lunch in a Khaima, a traditional Arabian tent. The tour concludes outside the hospital with the opportunity to watch the falcons in a large free flight aviary, take photographs of these magnificent birds of prey and even pose for a photograph with a falcon perched on your arm. The Heritage Village in Abu Dhabi also holds occasional falconry demonstrations. A commitment to conservation Falconry is very dependent on geophysical features of the landscape which is why Abu Dhabi provides the perfect setting. The UAE is believed to spend over 27 million dollars each year towards the protection and conservation of wild falcons. To give some idea of the extent of the enthusiasm for falconry in Abu Dhabi, you only have to look at the annual falcon beauty contents and demonstrations that take place at the ADIHEX exhibition. In fact, the UAE prides itself to be the first country that only accepts hybrid falcons in its contest, in a bid to protect wild birds. Although falconry is now a popular leisure pursuit in Abu Dhabi, it represents so much more – an indication of the UAE’s strong values, it has been practiced in the Arabian Gulf for over 4000 years and there is a strong desire and commitment to preserve all elements of this traditional culture. Since the independence of the UAE in 1971, its growth has been rapid and as Abu Dhabi’s economy continues to go from strength to strength with plans to diversify, falconry is becoming under increased risk from such rapid urbanisation. Falcons rely and their prey rely on natural habitats and wilderness and with less suitable environment available and with those traditionally associated with the sport finding less time and opportunity to pursue it, so this traditional element of the Emirati culture is at risk of erosion. Both the Environmental Research and Wildlife Development agency of Abu Dhabi and Falcon Foundation International Pakistan have shown great devotion to the conservation of falcons. Participation in falconry promotes interest in wider conservation activities, so in a quest to protect the ancient tradition, the Emirates Falconers’ Club are heavily involved in many conservation initiatives. International recognition In February of this year, the European Union celebrated the UAE’s successful registration of falconry as a living human heritage on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity at UNESCO. The UAE was represented by the Emirates Falconers Club and the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) and the Advisor for International Cooperation at ADACH, Dr. Awad Ali Saleh, led the talks on the importance of international cultural cooperation as they prepared to submit the international falconry file. Other speakers from the European Parliament, European and international falconry associations and participating countries acknowledged the important role played by the UAE and the efforts it made regarding the falconry file. Shiekh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, was also thanked for the support he has shown to the preservation of the heritage of falconry on the international stage. Falconry is a modern sport which continues to thrive in Abu Dhabi. Falconers’ knowledge and techniques have proved to be instrumental in the successful rehabilitation of injured or otherwise helpless wild birds. Falconers, princes and sheikhs are brought together by this powerful Middle Eastern tradition and visitors to Abu Dhabi can’t fail to notice the impact this incredible custom has on the country. For further information please visit www.simplyabudhabi.com or www.falconhospital.com FALCONRY the first love of abu dhabi 103 SIMPLY ABU DHABI