Traditional saluki race adds to excitement at falconry festival

posted on 12/12/2011: 654 views

Barking and snarling saluki dogs ran after "gazelles" at the camel race track in Remah, re-enacting the traditional Arabian hunt, as part of the Second International Falconry Festival that opened here yesterday.

Hunting with salukis has been a long tradition in the region and is deeply rooted in local culture and heritage. The race also gave owners of the Arabian pure-bred Salukis an opportunity to test the hunting capabilities of their hounds in a traditional and natural desert setting.

The dogs chased artificial gazelles that were specially made for the race as the UAE law prohibits hunting. A big crowd of Emiratis, other residents and foreign tourists witnessed the race.

Valuable prizes

The two-day contest is being sponsored by the Emirates' Falconers Club and the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), and was organised by the Saluki of Arabia Committee for Race and Beauty Contest.

Hamad Al Ghanem, head of the Race Organising Committee and Registrar General and Consultant of the Saluki of Arabia, said 10 races would be held in Remah, a town some 70km away from downtown Al Ain. The finals would be held in Madinat Zayed on December 19 and 20. The winners will be rewarded with two cars and more than Dh500,000 in cash along with other valuable prizes.

"I am delighted to organise the race, as it gives us the opportunity to highlight the beauty and incredible of speed of this breed," said Al Ganem. The race aims to create awareness for traditional values and ethics of local life and to preserve and celebrate the saluki breed in its homeland, he said.

Only pure-bred Arabian salukis, he said, are eligible to enter the races and participants have come from the UAE and other GCC countries. Al Ganem said he is committed to both the preservation of the saluki and the traditional way of the Arabian hunting as an essential part of the heritage.

Oldest breeds

Arabian salukis, he said, are one of the world's oldest breeds. "They can be traced back almost 13,000 years," he added. Originating from the Arabian peninsula, these desert hounds, which are known for their exceptional stamina, intelligence and loyalty, were bred to assist humans in chasing prey and catching it in the harsh desert climate.

Arabian salukis are highly prized not only for hunting, but as companions.

Falconers from 75 countries have been participating in the falconry festival.

A falcon championship race of 400 metres will be held at 2pm today and tomorrow. Falcon categories have been set by the selection committee. Falconers have the right to participate with more than one falcon in different categories of the championship.

Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Director of the Festival and Director of the Communication Department at the ADACH, said the event provides a unique chance to falconers and people interested in falconry for exchanging views. The festival has also been hosting a traditional market of Emirati handicrafts along with races of falcons and camels.

• What: Second International Falconry Festival

• Where: Al Ain

• When: December 11-17. – Gulf News

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