Young Falconers Learn And Preserve Traditions At King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival

Falconers are competing in the Melwah Racing qualifiers, aiming for a spot in the King Abdulaziz Cup finals. These events are part of the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival, hosted by the Saudi Falcons Club at its Malham headquarters, north of Riyadh. The festival continues until December 19 and features various competitions.

Participants often bring their children to these events to introduce them to falconry. They teach them about race preparation, handling falcons at the start, and signalling them at the finish line. This hands-on experience helps young ones understand how winners are determined based on final results.

Turki Al-Otaibi, a participant who inherited falconry from his father and ancestors, is eager to pass this tradition to his children. He brought family members along to share the experience and explore the young falconer's pavilion. This initiative helps instil a love for falconry in younger generations.

Omar Al-Otaibi, 16, expressed excitement while participating in the falcon release stage with his uncle. His uncle began teaching him falconry and hunting three years ago. Omar's cousin, Abdullah Al-Otaibi, aged 15, is also keen on exploring this heritage and investing in falcon breeding under their fathers' guidance.

The King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival offers prizes exceeding SAR36 million for both Melwah Racing and Mazayen (falcon beauty pageant) competitions. The event includes 138 rounds of competition, attracting numerous participants eager to showcase their skills and win substantial rewards.

The festival features attractions like the young falconer's pavilion and a falconry history museum. These exhibits aim to promote falconry traditions, preserve breeding practices for future generations, and celebrate cultural heritage. Visitors can immerse themselves in Saudi culture through these engaging displays.

The Saudi Falcons Club strives to ensure the continuity of this cherished hobby by sharing cultural heritage and celebrating common traditions. By attracting visitors to experience Saudi culture firsthand, they hope to foster a deeper appreciation for falconry among both locals and tourists alike.

With inputs from SPA