Mai Bouresli is believed to be Kuwait’s first female falconer, and two years into the hobby, she’s determined not to be the last. The 41-year-old showcased her falconry collection this week at Kuwait’s Fourth Exhibition for Falcons, Hunting Supplies, and Land and Sea Trips at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Mishref, the only woman among the exhibitors.
A Bond Built On Food, Not Emotion
Bouresli’s falcon responds to her call, but she’s candid about why as she talks about her journey to Kuwait Times. She says her relationship is based on food. It notes how controlled feeding trains the bird to respond to her cues. For someone who says she attaches easily to things, the arrangement has taught her to let go.
From Horses To Falcons
Falconry is the latest chapter in a lifetime around animals. Bouresli began riding at six, learning from her father, and later became an international equestrian judge. She picked up bird-keeping from her mother around age ten, and her brothers introduced her to desert falconry trips, which made her feel closer to her roots.
No School For This Skill
Unlike equestrianism, falconry has no formal training path in Kuwait. So she learned her way from experienced people to gain knowledge. She added that the practice demands courage and resources. For women, there’s an added hurdle: falconry trips into the desert typically require a companion, making entry harder without the right support.
Also Read: CT Quickies: From Qatar’s Falconry Festival To Kuwait’s 5-Min Visit Visa, 10 Middle East Updates
Opening The Door For More Women
The annual exhibition brings together falconry and hunting enthusiasts alongside suppliers of camping gear and equipment for land and sea trips, offering a shared space to swap knowledge around the region’s outdoor traditions. Bouresli has added her own touch, building a collection of customised falconry and desert-trip accessories, many featuring bird-inspired designs, based largely on her own ideas. She says the falconry community has embraced her despite her being the only woman in the room. As per Bouresli, she has been lucky to receive immense support and wishes that this will pave the way for other women to join her journey. She really desires other women to take up falconry instead of simply treating it as a male-oriented activity.
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FAQs
Does Kuwait have equestrian centres?
Kuwait has Kuwait Riding Center and Police Sports Federation (Sabhan) that you can visit.
What does Mai Bouresli hope to achieve?
She hopes to encourage more women to take up falconry, saying she wants to "open the door" for others to follow.
