North Africa
North Africa's best-documented falconry tradition is Moroccan, where the practice is known as tabizayt and linked to the Atlantic coast, notably Doukkala. Morocco is the region's state on UNESCO's list of falconry as a living human heritage.
The story of North Africa
Falconry in Morocco, known as tabizayt, is described in one account as about a thousand years old and as having come from the Arabian Peninsula.
The local Barbary falcon is credited with helping the practice spread among rulers and nomadic communities, for whom hunting with birds supplied food as well as recreation. Birds of prey also served as diplomatic gifts.
The same account cites a 14th-century Marinid sultan who sent falcons to the rulers of Egypt, a 1533 gift from the French king to a Wattassid sultan and a gift from the Danish king to an Alawite sultan in 1789. It adds that the Alawite dynasty created the post of royal falconer under Moulay Ismail.
Doukkala, on the Atlantic coast, is known for its falconers, and Figuig is linked to a 16th-century falconer-poet. These details come from a single secondary source.
Falconry in North Africa
Falconry is inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The element was first inscribed in 2010 and extended in 2012, 2016 and 2021, and the list of submitting states after the 2021 decision numbers 24.
Morocco is among them and is the only North African state on that list. UNESCO describes falconry as the traditional art and practice of training and flying falcons, and sometimes eagles, hawks, buzzards and other birds of prey.
It has been practised for more than 4,000 years, first as a source of food and now as a social, recreational and nature-connected activity. Knowledge is passed on through mentoring, families and training clubs, and modern practitioners also work to protect falcons, their quarry and their habitats.
In Morocco, the tradition is associated with the Doukkala coast near El Jadida, where the Quwwasim tribe is said to hold a royal decree permitting the keeping and training of falcons.
When the events happen
Typical months of the events held here, from the organisers' past editions. Dates marked as expected move until the organiser confirms them.
- No event on record.
- No event on record.
- No event on record.
- No event on record.
Places in this region
Each place has its own guide: history, falconry heritage and the events held there. Photos selected for each place, credited on the place page when the licence requires it.
Events here
International Festival of Traditional Hunting (Chichaoua)
Chichaoua, MADates to be confirmed●●●●●Local organisersFestivalFalconry onlyItkane Assakkar Falconry Festival
Morocco, MADates to be confirmedLast edition 2016●●●●●Local organisersFestivalFalconry onlySparrowhawk Festival (El Haouaria)
El Haouaria, TNDates to be confirmedLast edition 2009●●●●●Local committeeList your business on the pages of the events you attend, so buyers and partners find you before the show.
- Moorish Times: Falconry
- UNESCO: Falconry, a living human heritage (element 01708)
- UNESCO decision 16.COM 8.B.14 (falconry)
Facts on this page come from the sources below, checked on the date of writing. Check with the organiser before travelling.