CLUSTER I - THE DESERT

In the Arab world, falcons are a symbol of dignity, valour and pride. Hunting with falcons has been an integral part of Bedouin history on the Arabian Peninsula for 10,000 years. The nomads of desert caught falcons and trained them to catch the game and hare of the desert. With this capture, those who lived in an arid environment, had a food supplement. The history of Arab falconry being traced back to the pre-Islamic era. For Arabs falconry was the way of life where every household irrespective of their social or tribal status had enjoyed the presence of falcons around them. Today, the falcon is the national bird of the UAE and represents both the culture as well as the traditions which are at the heart of its desert people. Strong, fearless, fast and agile, the falcon has all the characteristics that one needed to survive in the harsh environment of the desert.  As such, the falcon is used widely both as a symbol and as a living creature at many events.

 

The Saqr Falcon is a species which is used for hunting in the UAE. The Saqr is the most popular because it is good for desert hawking. The female Saqr (Al Hurr), which is larger and more powerful is the one which is used more than the male (Garmoush).