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Owners turn falcon hood into fashion statement

Abu Dhabi - Jewel-crusted, pearl-studded and painted - the hoods have come of age from a simple falconry accessory to a fashion statement that defines the bird of prey.

Falcon hoods are a fashion statement, or so would it seem if you are at the International Festival of Falconry, running at the Khalifa Park in Abu Dhabi. 
Jewel-crusted, pearl-studded and painted - the hoods have come of age from a simple falconry accessory to a fashion statement that defines the bird of prey.
French designer Jean Baptiste Benacchio is displaying his special 'Abu Dhabi Collection' of hoods. Among are gold-embellished and pearl-studded hoods that cost more than Dh2,000 each. 
"This is specially designed for the Abu Dhabi festival. The hoods reflect the richness and luxury of the emirate," said a falconer from France.
Manfred Maugasc from Spain claims he is the only designer making hoods without stitches.
The plain hoods made of cow leather that are available in black and brown are feather-light and easy to wear. "They are light and very comfortable on the birds. Many people prefer this to the heavy and stitched hoods," said Maugasc. The unstitched hood costs between 65 and 70 euros. As falconry tradition of each country is different, so are their hoods. 
Ying Liu from China says the Chinese hoods are designed so that they are compatible with landscape. "We traditionally use the Goldfish hood, the design of which will make the eyes of the bird stand out like a gold fish. The circle representing the eyeball gives an impression that the bird is staring at the prey."
Explaining how hoods came to be widely used in Europe, Patrizia Cimberio from Italy, said it was Emperor Frederick II who introduced it to the European falconers. "Hoods came from the Arab world. Before Frederick II introduced hoods, European falconers were sewing up the eyes of falcons for the sport." 
Indian and Pakistani falconers were displaying Mughal-styled hoods. Designer Amir Rizwan Khan said the soft leather hoods with wide-opened mouthpiece were the style used by the Moghul emperors between 16th and 19th century.
"This hood is maybe hundreds of years old," said Shahid Ali, another Pakistani falconer, displaying an antique hood in his collection.
"Each of these hoods will have hundreds of stories to tell about the ancient sport of falconry among the Mughals. Now it is our job to keep this tradition alive," said Ali. 
anjana@khaleejtimes.com