Running after the sun

Text: Natalia Remmer

A WIND CATTER, RUNNING A GAZelle, the daughter of a tent and the eyes of a DESERT - ALL THESE ARE SALUKI, A PRINCIPAL RESIDENT OF THE EMIRATE DESERT AND A LITTLE FRIEND OF THE BEDUINS. In pursuit of mining, they run to the side of the sunset, until they hide in the endless sands. AND WITH THIS, ALWAYS RETURN TO A PERSON WITHOUT WHICH THOUGHT DO NOT THINK THEIR LIFE.

Do not call them dogs ...

As you know, the Islamic religion treats representatives of the canine family rather coldly, and an exception is made only for the saluki, the domesticated wolf who came from the desert. "Saluki is not a dog, but a gift from Allah, given for our needs and for our joy," the Muslim scripture says.

Residents of the Fertile Crescent states (territory from modern Egypt to Iran - Ed.) Composed poems about them long before the emergence of the most peaceful religion, and in ancient Egypt they were mummified and buried together with a master who could only be the representative of the ruling class.

“Bedouins have been raising saluki for many hundreds of years,” said Hamad Al Ghanem, founder and director of the Saluki Arabia club, also called “the godfather of the Arab Greyhounds.” “Everyone knows that Arab horses are used to transport and wage wars, and saluki - for gazelle hunting and food production. They are odorless and do not drool, so they always shared camping tents with the Bedouins and ate rice, meat and vegetables from the same table. The Arabians domesticated the wolf in order to survive in the harsh desert climate, and since then sa hatches have become part of their story. " There are two types of saluki: Al Gessa - with short silky hair all over the body and Al Reishi - with fluffy ears, fur on the tail and hind legs. They are distinguished by endurance, natural intelligence and loyalty to the owner. Today, when the need for food has disappeared, hunting with saluki has turned into a prestigious sport.

Saluki begin to train from the age of one's life: they first etch on jerboas, but already in two or three years the hounds are able to get a rabbit, a fox or a quick-foot gazelle. Most often, saluki hunt paired with a falcon, which serves as a gunner for them. Together they can attack the victim, but if she took refuge in a hole or under bushes, only saluki can get it.

Hamad Al Ghanem considers Rub al-Khali his favorite place for hunting. In the cool season - from October to March - he leaves with his pets in the desert before sunrise. "When I met Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first president of the UAE, he took my hand and said: saluki are not only for hunting and protecting a flock of sheep, they are part of our tradition of hospitality, our history.

Meeting a traveler in the desert, they direct him to the house where he can find dinner and overnight, "the breeder says. Saluki appeared in his house long before his birth." I did not ask my parents to bring me saluki. When I was born, they were already our companions. We grew together, several generations, "says Hamad.

Since 1979, he has been conducting a "tribal" book of saluki, which indicates data on their origin and genealogy. Today it contains over 1,600 entries: that is how many thoroughbreds live on the Arabian Peninsula. In the United Arab Emirates, only 10% of saluki belong to expatriate families, and two-thirds to the emirates themselves and most often live on farms. At the same time, many of them emigrate with their masters, for example, to Europe and the USA.

So, in 2011, our compatriot Elena Swain created the Arabian Saluki Center Of Dubai (ASCOD) in Dubai. “Despite the fact that these noble animals are part of the Emirate’s heritage,” says Elena, now a co-owner of Street Art Dubai, “owners often abandon or lose them.” According to her, if the workers of the Dubai municipality caught the saluki, they charge a fine of 500 dirhams (US $ 136.6) from the owner, and if the latter did not appear within a week, the animal is put up for auction at the same price. It was at such auctions that Elena Swain had to redeem haggard and frightened greyhounds.

"Saluki can get carried away by the prey race and lose orientation. The flying sands of the Arabian desert do not give a chance to orientate by smell, and the hound cannot find a way home. If you lost the saluki, leave the food the next morning, some water and a warm blanket where you they saw her for the last time, and by the evening of that day you will most likely find your favorite in this place. If not, look for him at the nearest farms, near the Bedouin’s dwellings, "the expert advises.

Saluki, in contrast to the sharp-eyed falcons, is driven not only by hunger - they hunt for the owner, while the falcon - only for himself, Elena Swain, the founder of the ASCOD Saluki Rescue Center, despite their high sensitivity, do not require special care. They eat from the same table with the owner, and in the metropolis - special food for greyhounds. Calm and silent, they get used to one owner and begin to get bored if he does not appear in the house for a long time. "Saluki live in packs, and if you decide to start one, you will very soon return for the second," said the hostess of three charming pets - Hamduni, Pippa and Khava.

By tradition, greyhounds are not for sale - they are given. But in the ASCOD kennel, they could be purchased for a small fee and freely taken out of the country, having issued, like any other pet, in Cargo Village. “When sending saluki to Europe or the USA, we always looked for an escort for them. At first, people were afraid: what would happen if they didn’t meet the animal. But, fortunately, the fears did not materialize. And today, the traditional inhabitants of Arabia rush along the beaches in California and proudly stroll through the quiet Dutch streets, "says the founder of ASCOD.

It should be noted that recently the fashion for saluki has returned. Of course, they can not be sold at the price of Ferrari, as many people think. But still, a good hound can allow its owner to make money on a new car. Some of the most prestigious races are held on a camel race track in the town of Sveikhan, in the emirate of Abu Dhabi (in the near future it is planned to build a separate track for saluki - approx.ed.), Under the patronage of Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, who considers these races to be his sport of life. The prize for the first place reaches 100 thousand dirhams (US $ 27.2 thousand). "The most productive age for participating in races is from two to four years," said Sheikh Rashid. "Of course, training is important, but the most important thing for saluki is the relationship with the owner. The more she loves him, the faster she will run."

Another annual competition takes place near Dubai, in the town of Al Marmum. This year, the Saluki Hunting Championships have been held for the seventh time. More than 200 hounds took to the track, including those belonging to Sheikh Hamdan bin Muhammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the crown prince of Dubai: it is believed that he revived the passion for the national sport among the young generation of emirates.

The races are one and two kilometers long, at which the greyhounds reach speeds of up to 75 km / h. The females are considered the fastest, however, in a joint race they always give the first place to the leader. According to the owners of saluki champions, they have to be trained every day before the competition: most of the time is devoted to running and swimming. The championship, like everything in Dubai, promises to be the most expensive and prestigious, and today the owners of the first prizes receive even faster sports cars as a gift.

Like camels and thoroughbred Arabian horses, saluki in the United Arab Emirates have their own beauty contest. By the way, the next 9th Arabian Saluki Beauty Contest 2014 will be held very soon - September 11 and 12 at the National Exhibition Center in Abu Dhabi. The most beautiful Arab hounds can be seen there.

Watch the video: AFTER THE RAIN - Running to the Sun OFFICIAL VIDEOCLIP (March 2024).