What Does Falconry Mean in Saudi Culture?

Falconry is one of the hunting practices with birds of prey, particularly falcons, rooted in the culture of the Arabian Peninsula since the ninth century BCE. It has been developed by traditions and lifestyles in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to become a cultural and artistic heritage. Falconry enjoys wide popularity and has been passed down through generations to become a government-regulated hobby. In this context, Saudi Arabia registered about 17,000 owned falcons and approximately twenty thousand Saudi falconers in 2017.

In 2010, falconry was registered as a living human heritage on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which is responsible for preserving world heritage. This came after efforts spanning five years led by eleven countries, most notably Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Alongside equestrianism and archery, falconry culturally symbolizes the social status of the falconer, as it is an expensive hobby. The challenges include not only the rarity of the falcons used and the costs of their breeding, training, and treatment but also the need for access to vast wilderness areas far from residential areas. Consequently, falconry is notably prevalent in the central north of Saudi Arabia. Additionally, Saudi Arabia serves as an important passageway for migrating falcons from Central Asia and Eastern Europe to Africa.

On July 20, 2017, a Royal Decree was issued to establish the Saudi Falcons Club, overseen by Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The club aims to preserve the historical heritage and traditions associated with falconry, playing roles related to awareness, training, research, and programs to protect falcons and ensure the flourishing of falconry as a sport. This helps maintain it as a legacy passed down through generations in Saudi Arabia.