11-year-old Emirati girl excels in 'men-dominated' falconry

Falconry remains one of the most prominent symbols of Emirati heritage, deeply rooted in the national identity.

- Mira Al Rashdi, Staff Reporter

While this ancient art has been associated with men for many years, young girls have emerged, breaking the stereotype, the most prominent of whom is Osha Khalifa Al Mansoori, the youngest Emirati falconer.

Despite her young age, Osha, an 11-year-old sixth-grade student at Al Wathba School, has managed to attract attention as the youngest Emirati falconer to practise this authentic hobby with passion and professionalism. She has practically proved that falconry is not the exclusive domain of men, but rather a living heritage in which girls can excel and carry on its own message. Deep inside, falconry for Osha was not just a hobby, but a legacy brimming with love and nostalgia, and a hidden bond that connected her to her late grandfather, Matar, who was the first to put a bird's veil on her hand and the first to awaken a passion for falcons in her heart.