Al Bizarah

History, hunting, and craft from the Gulf's falconry tradition - the context behind everything Mīzān is built for.

Mazayen: How the Gulf Judges a Falcon's Beauty
Antony Matsepa Antony Matsepa

Mazayen: How the Gulf Judges a Falcon's Beauty

Mazayen, the Gulf's falcon beauty competitions, judge birds on plumage, structure, and poise across multiple scored categories. Here's what the judges are actually looking for, and why it matters as much as racing.

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The Modern Arena
Antony Matsepa Antony Matsepa

The Modern Arena

From the President's Cup to the Fazza Championship, falconry in the Gulf has developed into a serious competitive sport with precision timing, major sponsorship, and international entries. Here's how that world actually works.

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Manning, Creance, and the Lure: The Falconer's Craft
Antony Matsepa Antony Matsepa

Manning, Creance, and the Lure: The Falconer's Craft

Manning, creance work, and lure conditioning remain the foundation of falcon training in the Gulf today, largely unchanged from methods practised for generations. Here's what each stage actually involves.

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From Desert Camp to National Emblem
Antony Matsepa Antony Matsepa

From Desert Camp to National Emblem

From national emblems to banknotes to brand names, the falcon has become one of the most widely used symbols in the Gulf. Here's how a working hunting bird earned that status.

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The Winter Hunt
Antony Matsepa Antony Matsepa

The Winter Hunt

Long before falconry competitions and racing calendars, Gulf falconers followed a strict seasonal rhythm built around houbara bustard and desert hare. Here's how the traditional hunting season actually worked.

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A Falconer's Field Guide to the Birds of the Gulf
Antony Matsepa Antony Matsepa

A Falconer's Field Guide to the Birds of the Gulf

Saker, peregrine, gyrfalcon: a practical guide to the three birds that define Gulf falconry, their traits, their history, and why falconers in Saudi Arabia and the UAE prize each one differently.

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The Bedouin Origins of Gulf Falconry
Antony Matsepa Antony Matsepa

The Bedouin Origins of Gulf Falconry

The history of falconry in the Gulf goes back roughly 4,000 years, from a Bedouin survival technique to a UNESCO-recognised heritage. Here's how it happened, and why it still matters.

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