A falconer perches on the arm of a tourist, who is posing for a photograph, on the outskirts of Sanaa, Yemen, on June 8, 2021. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)
Ali Ahmed, a Yemeni falconer, spends hours taking pictures for tourists with his bird of prey perching aloof on their hands or shoulders, in exchange for a small amount of money to feed his family.
SANAA, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Carrying his falcon, mini camera, and a portable photo printer every morning, Ali Ahmed goes into a mountain that overlooks Yemen's historic Rock Palace located on the outskirts of the capital Sanaa.
There the falconer spends hours taking pictures for tourists with his bird of prey perching aloof on their hands or shoulders, in exchange for a small amount of money to feed his family.
Falconry is a time-honored tradition in Yemen and other Arab countries. Unlike those kept by some of the Arab elites, Ahmed's raptor is less expensive because he is not using it for hunting or entertainment.
"This is the way I live, as a falconer in this country. It's no sport or leisure, just a way of living," Ahmed told Xinhua, noting the economic collapse of Yemen has made the life of his family even more difficult.
Ahmed said his income before the civil war was not much but enough for his nine children and wife but now their life just has been worsening day by day.
A falcon breeder takes a photo of a tourist with his falcon on the outskirts of Sanaa, Yemen on June 8, 2021. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)
"Almost everyone is getting poorer because of the war and blockade, so they're less likely to pay for a photo with a falcon," Ahmed explained, adding the wide usage of smartphones in the country is also a factor in his business decline.
"Some days, I return home with an empty pocket. Some days I get little. And on other days, especially on weekends, I earn more money which is enough for my family for three or four days," Ahmed said.
Yemen has been mired in a cruel civil war since 2014, which has killed more than 230,000 people and displaced millions. The war and economic blockade have crippled the country's economy, causing Yemenis' life conditions to deteriorate dramatically.
A falconer perches on the arm of its breeder on the outskirts of Sanaa, Yemen, on June 8, 2021. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)
"I have been a falcon breeder for 40 years. And I have been here in the mountain for nearly 20 years. I am chained onto the place, just like my falcon chained to me. So even the business is bad, I have no choice but to go on," said Ahmed.
Ahmed and his bird waited in weary silence for hours before the first batch of customers came to them.
Yousef Rusi, a visitor from Ibb Province who came with family to this site, paid to take photos with the falcon. One of Rusi's sons stroked the expressionless falcon curiously and cautiously while other children watched in amazement.
"We want to get a photo with the falcon because it is a rare opportunity. We haven't seen a domestic falcon from where we come," said Rusi, adding the view here was unique for the Rock Palace is one of the most iconic buildings in the country.
"The perfect combination of the view and the falcon is attractive," Rusi noted.
A falconer perched on its breeder on the outskirts of Sanaa, Yemen, on June 8, 2021. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)
The falconer said he hoped the war could end as soon as possible because he didn't know for how long he could make his ends meet if the crisis persisted.
"A falcon can live around 12 to 13 years. My bird here is still young and I hope she can live to see the days of peace," Ahmed said. ■
