DOHA, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- The 10th Katara International Hunting and Falconry Exhibition, known as S'hail 2026, opened on Tuesday in Doha, bringing together 158 relevant companies and entities from 15 countries.
Falconry, practiced for centuries across the Arabian Peninsula, once helped locals hunt for food in harsh desert environments. Over generations, it evolved into a cultural tradition, with knowledge of raising and training the birds passed down through families.
Now, the exhibition offers a look at how this age-old practice is adapting to modern changes in technology, business, and lifestyles.
Running until Sept. 12, this year's edition features five main sections covering hunting weapons, falcon sales, equipment, off-road vehicle outfitting, and restaurants. Participants also include veterinary clinics, breeding farms, handicraft businesses, and safari and outdoor equipment companies.
Inside the exhibition halls, falcons perch on wooden stands as visitors inspect the birds. Just steps away, craftsmen work on traditional accessories while companies display tracking devices, camping gear, and desert-ready vehicles.
Walking between the falcon displays with his young son, Mohammed Al-Kuwari, a Qatari falconry enthusiast, said he had been visiting the exhibition for several years.
"I can see the falcons, compare new equipment and meet people with the same interest," Al-Kuwari said. "But I also bring my son because I want him to understand why falconry is important to our families and our history."
For younger visitors, learning about falconry now comes hand in hand with equipment their elders never knew.
"I learned about falcons from my father and grandfather, but today there are tracking devices, better veterinary services and many new tools," said 22-year-old Qatari visitor Hamad.
Once used mainly for hunting, falcons are now also trained for races, hunting competitions and beauty contests, fueling businesses from breeding and veterinary care to leatherwork and event organization.
Abdulaziz Al-Buhaishim Al-Sayyid, director of S'hail, said the exhibition has changed considerably over the past decade.
"What began as a specialized exhibition has today become a platform bringing together major companies, brands, and specialized entities in hunting and falconry from different countries around the world," he said.
With each edition, organizers have sought new participants and expanded activities and services in response to demand from exhibitors and visitors, he added.
Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaity, director-general of Katara and chairman of the exhibition's organizing committee, said S'hail was created with an objective that extends beyond merely holding an annual gathering for hunting and falconry enthusiasts.
"We want heritage to be present in the future, not merely preserved in memory," he said. ■
