Amidst the pages of books and the joy of reading, children and adults gathered around 12-year-old Aousha Khalifa Al Mansouri as she trained her young falcon at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. Aousha has earned the title of the youngest falconer in the UAE, a passion she has nurtured since her early childhood, deeply rooted in a family tradition of cherishing ancestral heritage. Her mother, Aisha Matar Al Mansouri, is the first female falconer in the UAE, and her grandfather was also a falconer, both playing pivotal roles in encouraging Aousha to embark on this journey at a very young age. Aousha shared that her mother took up the task of training her after noticing her fascination with falcons, adding that her love for falconry extends beyond simply mastering this ancient art; it has become a holistic experience where falconer and falcon develop a strong bond and unique “chemistry.” She noted that after some training, she became adept at handling her falcon in various situations, including training, feeding, and calming it down. “Certain birds, like the tawi, are more suitable for children to train due to their manageable size and ease of care,” she stated.
While participating in the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair and inspiring visitors, Aousha is also an author with two stories to her name: “Aousha and Her Grandfather Matar” and “Aousha and Her Friend Um Tawq.” She dreams of pursuing a career in aerospace engineering, saying, “Watching the falcon soar high, with pride, love, and dignity, inspires me to experience that feeling.” Regarding the significance of falconry as an essential part of our heritage, which was greatly cherished by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, she emphasized the message she wishes to convey to children: learning falconry demonstrates the unique bond between humans and nature. It is a sport and an art that embodies noble values and is deeply intertwined with the cultural identity of the UAE, forming an inseparable part of Emirati heritage and tradition.