Female falconers

The National
  • Ayesha Al Mansoori is head trainer at the Abu Dhabi Falcon Club. In 2017, she began offering free falconry classes for women and within a year, more than 50 women had signed up. Al Mansoori says that Emiratis do not need modern gadgets like binoculars to trace their birds during hunting session: 'Our DNA is all about the desert and falcons.' Vidhyaa Chandramohan for The National
    Ayesha Al Mansoori is head trainer at the Abu Dhabi Falcon Club. In 2017, she began offering free falconry classes for women and within a year, more than 50 women had signed up. Al Mansoori says that Emiratis do not need modern gadgets like binoculars to trace their birds during hunting session: 'Our DNA is all about the desert and falcons.' Vidhyaa Chandramohan for The National
  • The UAE's female falconers regularly come together in the evenings to meet and train their birds, developing friendships and sharing knowledge in the process. From left to right, Mariam Al Hammadi, Emam Al Hammadi, Khawla Al Hammadi, Osha Khaleefa Al Mansoori and Ayesha Al Mansoori. Vidhyaa Chandramohan for The National
    The UAE's female falconers regularly come together in the evenings to meet and train their birds, developing friendships and sharing knowledge in the process. From left to right, Mariam Al Hammadi, Emam Al Hammadi, Khawla Al Hammadi, Osha Khaleefa Al Mansoori and Ayesha Al Mansoori. Vidhyaa Chandramohan for The National
  • Ayesha Al Mansoori, left, began learning falconry from her father at the age of 4. Now she is passing that knowledge on to her daughter. Vidhyaa Chandramohan for The National
    Ayesha Al Mansoori, left, began learning falconry from her father at the age of 4. Now she is passing that knowledge on to her daughter. Vidhyaa Chandramohan for The National
  • A female falconer hoods her bird after a hunt. This keeps the falcon calm and focused. Vidhyaa Chandramohan for The National
    A female falconer hoods her bird after a hunt. This keeps the falcon calm and focused. Vidhyaa Chandramohan for The National
  • In the winter, Ayesha Al Mansoori spends most of her time with her falcons. 'Female participation in falconry used to be about supporting the men – preparing them for the desert and for hunting, while the women took care of the family. Also, the roughness of the terrain in the desert made it impossible for women to go on hunting trips with falcons in ancient times. Now things have changed.' Vidhyaa Chandramohan for The National
    In the winter, Ayesha Al Mansoori spends most of her time with her falcons. 'Female participation in falconry used to be about supporting the men – preparing them for the desert and for hunting, while the women took care of the family. Also, the roughness of the terrain in the desert made it impossible for women to go on hunting trips with falcons in ancient times. Now things have changed.' Vidhyaa Chandramohan for The National
  • Afrah Al Mansoori, Ayesha's aunt, prepares food after a training session in the Abu Dhabi desert, as a falcon rests on its perch. While the food is being prepared in a way that is typical of the traditional Bedouin lifestyle, a parked 4x4 adds a hint of modernity to the scene, highlighting how falconry bridges the past, present and future for many Emirati families and communities. Vidhyaa Chandramohan for The National
    Afrah Al Mansoori, Ayesha's aunt, prepares food after a training session in the Abu Dhabi desert, as a falcon rests on its perch. While the food is being prepared in a way that is typical of the traditional Bedouin lifestyle, a parked 4x4 adds a hint of modernity to the scene, highlighting how falconry bridges the past, present and future for many Emirati families and communities. Vidhyaa Chandramohan for The National
  • Afrah with her falcon during a rabbit hunt. Falconry is a multi-million-dirham industry. Like camel racing, women have traditionally been almost completely absent from this heritage sport, but things are changing in the UAE. Vidhyaa Chandramohan for The National
    Afrah with her falcon during a rabbit hunt. Falconry is a multi-million-dirham industry. Like camel racing, women have traditionally been almost completely absent from this heritage sport, but things are changing in the UAE. Vidhyaa Chandramohan for The National
  • Osha Al Mansoori trains her falcon Yas, learning tips and tricks from her mother Ayesha. Osha says that she loves spending time with her falcons and that Yas is like her little brother. Vidhyaa Chandramohan for The National
    Osha Al Mansoori trains her falcon Yas, learning tips and tricks from her mother Ayesha. Osha says that she loves spending time with her falcons and that Yas is like her little brother. Vidhyaa Chandramohan for The National
  • Ayesha and Osha Al Mansoori walk with their falcons in the Abu Dhabi desert at twilight. Their shared love of falconry creates a strong bond between the mother and child. Vidhyaa Chandramohan for The National
    Ayesha and Osha Al Mansoori walk with their falcons in the Abu Dhabi desert at twilight. Their shared love of falconry creates a strong bond between the mother and child. Vidhyaa Chandramohan for The National
  • Ayesha Al Mansoori drives with her falcon during a training session. Falconry is not a easy sport, and requires passion, patience and physical toughness, she says. In the past, this has hindered women from joining the Abu Dhabi Falcon Club, but in the last three years, interest in the sport has blossomed. Al Mansoori hopes to train many more women and girls in the years to come. Vidhyaa Chandramohan for The National
    Ayesha Al Mansoori drives with her falcon during a training session. Falconry is not a easy sport, and requires passion, patience and physical toughness, she says. In the past, this has hindered women from joining the Abu Dhabi Falcon Club, but in the last three years, interest in the sport has blossomed. Al Mansoori hopes to train many more women and girls in the years to come. Vidhyaa Chandramohan for The National
  • Ayesha Al Mansoori attaches a GPS transmitter to the tail feathers of her falcon before releasing it for training. Vidhyaa Chandramohan for The National
    Ayesha Al Mansoori attaches a GPS transmitter to the tail feathers of her falcon before releasing it for training. Vidhyaa Chandramohan for The National