Al Ain: Falconers from around the world on Monday enthralled spectators with their skills and mastery of the sport at Remah Desert camp of the Second International Falconry Festival in Al Ain.
Thousands of people had gathered at the camp, some 70km from downtown Al Ain, to witness the falconers from 80 countries, clad in their traditional dress and gear.
"It's [the camp] truly a crossroad of world civilisations and cultures," said Mark Edwards, a British visitor. The festival is very enjoyable and informative as well as offering an opportunity to appreciate different cultures of the world. Above all it offers a platform to enjoy falconry, he said.
Terry Large, master of ceremonies at the camp, said more than a thousand people have been enjoying falconry and the culture at the camp. "We have falconers from 80 countries and they have been divided into groups for the demonstration of their skills," he said. The groups include South American, North American, European, African, Chinese, and Indo-Pak.
Use of technology
He said the teams displayed their falconry skills and their cultures. "It looks awesome seeing a Mongolian on horseback holding a huge black eagle on his arm," he said.
"This is a festival, and not a championship. Appreciate falconers, their cultures and civilisations. That's why we have allowed the display of eagles and other birds," he said.
A huge fish eagle, weighing four kilograms, was one of the star attractions at the camp. An Emirati falconer used his radio-controlled aeroplane to illustrate the hunting skills of a saker falcon. He tied two dummy houbara bustards to the tail of the aircraft.
A saker falcon was then released to chase the prey. The falcon's chase to catch the prey kept the spectators spellbound.
The dummies were later released from the aircraft and the falcon made a vertical dive to grab the houbaras.
The day's events also included horse and dog races. Some 113 riders took part in the four-stage race, according to the organisers. Shaikh Rashid Bin Dalmook came first with his horse called Onbehu. Mohammad Ahmad Al Abbar came second with his horse Kevin and the third position went to Sultan Ahmad Al Beloushi, the organisers said. In the women's section, 11 riders participated with five of them being Emiratis.
Positive participation
Mohammad Khalaf Al Mazroui, Adviser of Culture and Heritage in the Court of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, praised the positive participation. He also thanked the referees and the participants for the positive impact on the success of the event.
The Second International Falconry Festival has been organised by Adach in cooperation with the Emirates Falconry Club.
‘Teach youngsters'
Hosting a peregrine falcon on his left arm, Mohammad Al Shamsi, an Emirati falconer, was entertaining a small group of visitors around him.
Caressing the bird with his other hand at the desert camp in Remah, he was eagerly sharing his experience with the people. The camp has brought together falconry experts and enthusiasts from various countries, offering them a unique platform to discuss and exchange their knowledge and experience.
The centuries old traditional Arabian sport of falconry has been registered by Unesco in the list of cultural heritage, and the city of Al Ain is part of this heritage.
Al Shamsi said falconry teaches endurance, strength and patience. The festival will promote the sport among youngsters who need to be educated, he said. "It is also important to guide young falconers to love and care for the health of falcons and their hunting grounds," he added.
