In the deserts of northern Qatar, youngsters with a falcon perched on gloves on their left arms exhibit their looking birds in a bid to protect an age-old custom. These “Little Falconers” have gathered in a tent forward of the soccer World Cup within the gas-rich Gulf emirate, in a bid to introduce guests to a follow inherited from their forefathers. Falconry was added to the UNESCO record of intangible cultural heritage in 2010, in international locations together with Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

“This is my first participation in the competition,” says 11-year-old Breik al-Marri, wearing flowing white robes beside his falcon Gasham, a leather-based hood obstructing the hen’s view.

“I love Gasham and I take care of him,” Marri stated, sliding his left arm right into a thick leather-based gauntlet to guard him from the raptor’s sharp talons.

“Originally a means of obtaining food, falconry… has been integrated into communities as a social and recreational practice and as a way of connecting with nature,” the tradition company stated.

‘Strength of willpower’

“I learned this sport from my grandfathers, father and uncles,” stated Marri. “I learned from them the strength of determination and how to take care of the falcon.”

Marri explains that the hood helps preserve the hen of prey calm. As quickly because the falcon regains sight, he says, the behaviour modifications.

“Once, my brother came while the falcon didn’t have the hood on, and he tried to pet the bird, but the falcon bit him,” he stated. “The falcon was scared!”

Marri just lately participated with a dozen others within the “Promising Falconers” contest for 11-15 yr olds.

The contest sees every younger falconer select the right second to launch their hen to be able to snatch their prey, a lure waved about 200 metres (about 650 ft) away.

The winner of the competition is the falconer whose hen captures the prey the quickest.

‘Beautiful sport’

Also collaborating within the contest was 15-year-old Saeed al-Jamila, who named his falcon Hayya — after the particular fan passes for the FIFA World Cup, which runs from November 20 to December 18.

Expressing pleasure on the a couple of million followers anticipated to descend on his small nation for the event, he hopes to ship a message encouraging them to attempt falconry themselves.

“They should try it, they won’t lose anything,” he stated. “It’s a beautiful sport.”

But whereas pleasure abounded for the younger falconers on this division, it was undoubtedly the “Little Falconers” aged six to 10 who stole the present.

One by one, they trailed out in a row, every holding a looking bag, whereas on their proper arm they balanced the birds whose claws had been greater than the kids’s arms.

Eight-year-old Hamad al-Nuaimi stepped out in entrance of the panel of judges, who started questioning on looking instruments, their makes use of and properties.

At one level, Nuaimi stumbled for a response to one of many questions, solely to be helped alongside by one of many judges.

The function of the competition is to “preserve our heritage and that of our forefathers. We are passing this heritage to this generation,” says panel member Saad al-Muhannadi.

The little falconers are then examined on their potential to correctly take away the birds’ hoods, then to efficiently place them from their arm to a perch, securing their ft utilizing a particular knot.

“Hunting teaches a man perseverance and self-reliance,” stated Muhannadi, because the robust scent of espresso wafted from close by.

He hoped that the internet hosting of the World Cup would grant Qatar the chance to “spread our culture and national identity”.

Falconry “is an ancient sport, whether in Qatar or other Gulf countries, it is an authentic sport,” he stated.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)