Yu. N. ZININ Candidate of Historical Sciences In this clinic near Abu Dhabi-the capital of the United Arab Emirates, as elsewhere, they receive and treat patients. But they don't lie in their wards or walk around in their pajamas in the hallways, but are strapped to perches in small boxes. This specialized medical center for falcons has existed for more than a decade. On average, according to its director, it provides a variety of assistance over the course of a year. They issue certificates about their condition (according to the price list, it costs about $40), do tests in the laboratory of molecular biology, operate, etc. This, by the way, is not the only hospital for hunting birds in the Emirates, which indicates the popularity of falconry among local residents, which has deep roots. AT THE ORIGINS OF FALCONRY It is known that even the ancient Egyptians let falcons trained by them on rodents who devoured grain on currents. In Arabia, the origins of this occupation in the pre-Islamic era allegedly stood tribal leader Haris ben Kinda. According to the parable, one day he saw a sparrow struggling in a nomad's snare, and a falcon swooped down on him, which also became entangled in the trap. The sheikh then exclaimed ," Why, a falcon is much better than a bow and arrow!" So the word "bizra" entered the lexicon of the Arabs, which meant the art of training and handling a bird to catch animals. They hunted game with her, which was a great help to the poor diet of the Arabians. The well-trained and loyal falcon was revered by the Bedouins as a family member. Tribal poets in their verses described the beauty of flight and fighting qualities of birds, praised the prowess of falconers, their valor and generosity. With the advent of Islam, hunting was influenced by its ethics. Sharia law imposed a taboo on eating the meat of birds that obtained food with their claws, in particular, the falcon, eagle, hawk, etc. But it was allowed to eat poultry dishes that did not use claws ... Читать далее