Today's Edition
RABI HAMAMSAH (ABU DHABI)
In the realm of falconry, Ayesha and Osha Al Mansoori, a mother and daughter, are taking the traditional UAE sport to new heights. Following in her mother's footsteps as the first female Emirati falconer in the UAE, Osha's interest in falcons began at an early age.
Today at the age of 10, Osha is the youngest female falconer in the UAE, making foray into a male-dominated sport.
In an interview with Aletihad, Ayesha and Osha shared their experience, noting that this traditional Emirati sport dates back to 4,000 years.
Bedouins in the UAE and the wider Arabian Peninsula practised falconry as an important form of hunting in resource-scarce land, Ayesha said.
Deep Bond
Ayesha and Osha expressed their commitment to preserve the family's falconry traditions, which they learned from Ayesha's father, Matar Al Mansouri. ''I was five years old when I was asked by one of my brothers to deal with a falcon we owned. He asked me to cover the falcon and was not very confident that I would do it, because I was a little girl. I did it after applying a technique on the falcon to be in control. My brother was shocked that I did it,'' Ayesha said.
She pointed out that her father, Matar Al Mansouri, is her inspiration, noting the traditional sport is ''inevitably in the family's blood''. ''I am the first female Emirati falconer, and Osha, my daughter, is the youngest one in the country. We are so proud to be representing the UAE women in this sport, which is part of our customs and traditions,'' she added. As for Osha, she started practising the sport at an early age, which gave her the confidence to pursue the sport. ''My daughter, Osha, started falconry at 8 months old,'' Ayesha said.
She added that whenever she would bring her a falcon home, Osha used to wrap herself around the bird to familiarise herself with it, and "that is where it all began". ''I never forced falconry on her, she chose it and now she is the youngest falconer in the UAE, and I would say, a talented falconer,'' Ayesha noted. "I learned more and more about falcons as I got older, and falconry eventually became more than a hobby. I love birds. I will never forget the first one I ever owned, I played and played with it until it became a part of me,'' Osha said.
Time Management is Key
Ayesha and her daughter Osha pay attention to time management during the day so as to focus on looking after the falcons as well as performing other daily tasks. ''I start my day with prayer, then I go directly to the falconry room to check on the falcons. After that, I prepare breakfast and take my daughter Osha to school,'' Ayesha said.
For Osha her day starts with school and attending classes, ''When back at home, I study for some hours then I see my friends and by that time I will have my own time for falcons and falconry,'' Osha said. Ayesha said that despite challenges, ''the joy is in overcoming them with all strength".
"I started my journey as the only woman in the field," she added. Future Aspirations ''I am planning this year to enrol in a falconry diploma in Sharjah. This will be among the goals I will achieve this year. I contributed to women's participation in Abu Dhabi Falconry Club in 2018 and I am still giving sessions to UAE women to take part in falconry, as well as teaching kids falconry skills,'' Ayesha said.
As for Osha too, her ambitions revolve around falconry. ''I am planning to continue my studies and establish a hunting reserve for falcons as well as empowering women in the UAE in this sport,'' Osha added. Ayesha also shared a word of advice for young women interested in falconry: "Choosing an appropriate falconer with sufficient experience in this sport is key," Ayesha said.
''This sport must be learned and carried on because it is a part of our heritage and culture. It is part of our national emblem. It also teaches us a lot about our history and forefathers, including our beloved founder, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul. Our plans are to preserve this tradition and pass it to the next generations,'' Ayesha added.
UAE Support Falconry's revered status derives from the sense of courage, honour and nobility, which are prized traditional Arab values, that are associated with the sport, as well as its links to nature conservation, respect for animals and the comradery among falconers.
The UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan practised falconry from a young age, and was a tremendous proponent of falconry and supported its conservation. The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan launched many initiatives to promote the sport, including a falcon release programme and the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, which has become the largest falcon hospital in the world.
''We get all the support from our state, the United Arab Emirates, especially for women in falconry. The UAE is empowering women in this sport and also giving us the chance to take part in all activities related to falconry in the UAE and abroad,'' Ayesha said.
Falconry is celebrated across the UAE, with falconry demonstrations a key feature in UAE's Union Day celebrations and other holidays and heritage events.
