Sunday, November 17, 2024 at 5:47 p.m.
El Jadida – International Falconry Day was celebrated on Saturday in Ouled Frej (El Jadida) where the Chorfas of Lakouassem have been falcon hunting since the dawn of time.
During this celebration, organized by the Youth association of Lekouassem and the Lakouassem falconers association of Ouled Frej, under the aegis of the Federation of civil society associations in Ouled Frej, in partnership with the Municipal Council of Ouled Frej, the emphasis was placed on the role of associations in the preservation and promotion of this centuries-old Moroccan tradition registered in 2010 on the list of cultural heritage UNESCO intangible heritage.
In a statement to MAP, the president of the Federation of Civil Society Associations in Ouled Frej, Aziz El Hani noted that this international falconry day, celebrated each year on November 16, coincides with the festivities marking the 69th anniversary of the independence of the Kingdom.
And to add that this festive event seeks to raise awareness of falconry, a hunting practice which has made the Lakouassem tribe internationally renowned.
For his part, the president of the Zemamra falconers association and member of the board of directors of the International Federation of Falcon Sports and Racing (IFFSR), expressed his joy at participating in the celebration of the international day of falconry, saying he was honored to have been among the founders of the said federation which was born on December 14, 2022 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
He also noted the creation this year in Morocco of a Moroccan federation of falcon sports and races, with a view to promoting falconry on the national and international levels and also to be able to advocate in favor of its programming in the Olympic Games.
Another statement to MAP, that of Ahmed Sadouk, member of the association of falconers of Lakouassem, who highlighted the importance of breeding falcons, a tradition passed down from father to son, insisting on the need to ensure to its preservation through participation in Moussems such as that of Moulay Abdellah Amghar in El Jadida.
This celebration was marked by the presentation of certificates of merit to participants as well as the organization of a high-flying falconry show.
