Riyadh, October 12, 2024 – Falconry, a time-honored tradition deeply rooted in the culture of the Arabian Peninsula, continues to thrive in Saudi Arabia, where enthusiasts embrace traditional hunting methods like Al-Manashbia. This ancient technique, known for its complexity and requiring great skill, stands out as one of the most revered approaches among falconers in the region.
The Al-Manashbia method involves setting up an iron wire net in the shade of large trees, creating a trap for falcons. After a falcon finishes consuming its prey, it instinctively seeks the comfort of shade, where it becomes caught in the strategically placed net. According to Khamis Al-Saqri, a passionate falconry enthusiast, building an effective Al-Manashbia trap can take one to two days, depending on the expertise and experience of the falconer. The difficulty lies in the careful and precise arrangement of the net's holes, making it a challenging technique that only skilled falconers can master.
While Al-Manashbia remains the most famous traditional method, other techniques are also widely practiced. One such method is Khadj Al-Tayr, where falconers follow and capture falcons using a large net after sunset, taking advantage of the birds' nocturnal habits. Another integral part of falconry is the training rituals that falconers engage in, such as Haddad Al-Tayr, a technique where falcons are released to fly long distances to hone their hunting skills. Falcons are also trained using a Melwah, a decoy bird or bait, to familiarize them with hunting prey.
The Al-Hamad Desert in the Northern Borders region of Saudi Arabia has become a hub for falconers from across the Kingdom and neighboring Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. This area, located along a migratory route for falcons, including the prized peregrine falcon, attracts numerous falconers during migration seasons. Valuable falcons are often captured, released, or sold at special auctions held in the region, further cementing the importance of falconry as both a cultural tradition and a thriving practice in modern times.
