Falconry in Qatar: A Historic Sport That Still Thrives Today
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Sulaiman
- . March 29, 2025
- . Update: March 29, 2025 1:43 pm
Falconry is the practice of hunting with trained birds of prey and is a part of Qatari heritage that has been alive for over 5,000 years. It was brought in by Bedouin tribes who trained falcons to hunt migratory birds throughout the Arabian Peninsula and it was an important method of survival in the inhospitable desert environment.
Falconry is still a prestigious sport in Qatar today, representing patience, skill and a connection to nature. The tradition has changed from an essential form of subsistence to a cultural icon and falcons denote prestige and social standing. The birds are exceptionally valuable, ranging in price from about $4,000-$10,000 with really rare birds auctioning up to around $250,000.
To sustain this long standing tradition, Qatar has created organizations such as the Al Gannas Society, established in 2008 to advocate on behalf of falconry and run the annual S’hail Falcon Exhibition at the Katara Cultural Village which brings enthusiasts and traders from around the world and highlights the role of falconry in Qatari culture.
The Souq Waqif Falcon Hospital in Doha demonstrates the state’s commitment to preserving this tradition with an emphasis on specialized veterinary care of these culturally-important birds. In addition Qatar has also developed regulations and protections that includes falcon passports which illustrates the conservation priorities.
Basically in Qatar falconry is not only a sport it is an active tradition that ties the past to the future, showcases the rich cultural heritage of the country and signifies their commitment to preserving this tradition which has been practiced for centuries.
