My grandfather and mother instilled in me love of falcons since I was very young: Osha Al Mansoori

Gulf Today

2 days ago

Falconry remains one of the most prominent symbols of Emirati heritage, deeply rooted in the national identity. 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.
Though she was very young, Osha chose to follow in his grandfather's footsteps, carrying the banner of a heritage that began with warm moments in the presence of her grandfather to become nowadays the youngest Emirati falconer.
'Since my early childhood, I used to watch my mother and my grandfather Matar, may Allah have mercy upon him, as they dealt with falcons, and I gradually began to absorb this love. My grandfather was the first to encourage me and my mother was the one who taught me how to care for a falcon and treat it with love and respect,' Osha said about her beginnings in the world of falconry.
'At the age of seven or eight months, I was trying to catch a falcon's veil when I was three or four years old, I got my first young falcon. I will never forget that moment and felt a sense of responsibility and great joy to have my own falcon,' she added.
'I manage my time between studying, training and falconry. Sometimes I have to give up some activities in order to participate in hunting trips, where we hunt bustards. My falcon stays in my room while I am at school and when I return, I see it and prepare it for training in the afternoon or for going hunting. There is a worker who helps me take care of the falcons and monitors them in my absence or the absence of my father. I currently own two falcons of two different types, one of which is a Saker falcon and the other a free wild falcon,' she said.
'Despite the societal challenges and stereotypical views that girls may face, I did not give up on my passion but rather turned it into a source of pride and inspiration. Some people told me that falconry might be difficult for girls, but I did not let their words stop me. My mother, the first female Emirati falconer, was my role model and teacher and passion was my primary motivation to carry on,' she added.
Reiterating that her family's support had a significant impact on her persistence, Osha explained that Allah was always her prime supporter, followed by her grandfather and mother and that her belief in her abilities kept her going despite everything.
She pointed out that her presence was not limited to the hunting fields, but extended to the cultural arena, noting that she recently participated in a panel session during the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025, in which she discussed the story 'Osha And Her Grandpa Matar' written by her mother Ayesha Matar Al Mansoori.
'I talked about my experiences in falconry and explained to children about falcons. They interacted greatly with my album and asked me many questions, which I answered with love. I wanted to send them a message that heritage is not just something ancient, but that we can love it and experience it even in our childhood,' she said.
She added that she aspires to represent the UAE in international championships and promote my country abroad, stressing that she hopes to participate in falconry championships worldwide.
'Girls have proven that they are capable of being creative in all fields and that one of my dreams is to carry on the women's falconry trips project and establish a special reserve for hunting and overnight stays,' she said.
She also dreams of establishing a dedicated centre to teach falconry to girls and of writing children's books about heritage to instill love of falcons in the hearts of the next generation, she added.
In her message to girls, she told them not to be afraid of being different, to be strong and follow their passion because they are able to make a difference and be role models for others.