History:
Falconry is a historical tradition in the Arab world, with origins tracing back over 5000 years to the civilizations of Mesopotamia. The Bedouins utilized falcons as a way of life and for hunting. Falconry involves training the falcon on various types of aerial and terrestrial preys, leveraging the falcon's keen eyesight, flying skills, and intelligence. Falconry has been recorded in literature since the first millennium BC in the civilizations of Mesopotamia, and it is mentioned in the Holy Quran and the Hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad. In Qatar, falcons symbolize courage and pride, and falconry is a cherished tradition reflecting the harmonious relationship between the falcon and its trainer.
Rules:
In Qatar, falconry involves training falcons to hunt various prey, with owners meticulously honing their birds' skills through continuous training. Al-Gannas Qatari Society has codified falconry rules and organized them into various competitions based on traditional falconry skills, such as the Al Da'u Championship, which measures the bird's speed, the Al Tal' Championship, which asses the eyesight acuity of the falcons, and the Al Hadad Championship, which combines speed, vision, and maneuvering skills. Falcons participate in numerous events in Qatar, with the annual Marmi Festival in January being the foremost, where the best falconers and falcons compete.
Qatar is home to several species of falcons, with the Saker and Peregrine Falcon being the most popular. Falcons are highly valued, with prices varying according to type and rarity, some reaching up to one million Qatari Riyals. Qatar provides dedicated state-of-the-art facilities like the Souq Waqif Falcon Hospital and the Falcon Souq, which are equipped with the best training accessories and medical care for falcons.
