This looks like an interesting festival, but I dislike the remarks that ‘falconry is for men only’ and that females participating in the sport are a ‘source for derision and laughter’. I realise these comments come from locals talking about other locals , but living in a society so filled with inherent sexism does begin to grate on one’s nerves at times. When will people get it - women are equal to men in all ways and have the absolute right to do ANYTHING that men do. ?!?
The third Qatar International Falcon and Hunting Festival is due to draw to a close tomorrow after three weeks celebrating the traditions of falconry and the country’s bedouin roots.
Photojournalist Matthew Cassel has a beautiful set of photos from the festival in the south of Qatar - near Sealine - which also includes Saluki (desert hound) races. Check out the big picture gallery on Al Jazeera.
Meanwhile, the announcement of the world’s first female falconry association, which will be based in Qatar, is raising the ire of some locals, who say the sport should stay male.
Gulf News reports:
“This is against our traditions, and engaging in this exclusively male sport will make people scoff at us,” a Facebook user wrote, quoted by the daily. “It is a waste of public funds and our women are going to behave like men,” said another.
Hessa Al Meftah, the head of public relations at the Qatar Foundation for the Protection of Women and Children, said that the situation was “laughable.”
“This is a source for derision and laughter,” she said. “Girls refuse strongly the idea that does not fit with the feminine nature of our women that does not allow them to hunt. It has always been known since time immemorial that falconry is for men only…”
Thoughts?
Credit: Photo by Matthew Cassel
