Falcon hunting keeps Qatar’s Bedouin traditions alive
Doha, Qatar: (December 31): Falconry offers a glimpse at how Qatar used to be. The millennia-old sport remains extremely popular amongst Qatar's elite and is keeping Qatar’s Bedouin traditions alive. Centuries ago, Bedouin tribesmen used falcons to hunt for meat in the winter. These days, falconry is a popular sport and hobby for many Qataris and the falcon is also the country’s national bird Come Sunday 1st January 2023, one will get know the sport from close quarters during the 14th edition of the Qatar International Falcons and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2023) will starts at Sabkhat Marmi in Sealine and will end on 28 January 2023. Held annually under the patronage of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, the festival is being organised by the Qatar Al Gannas Society and is one of the largest festivals in the specialized field of falcons and hunting in the region. Al Gannas, a cultural association for hunters was founded in 2008 and is dedicated to promoting traditional Arabi