About Us
The Middle East Falconry Archive (MEFA) is a project to document, preserve and revive interest in historical Arabic falconry treatises. By locating and documenting the physical manuscripts, the project connects past records to present practices to provide a record of tangible heritage for the benefit of future generations.
By identifying and creating digital records and reproduced as facsimiles of historical manuscripts related to Arabic falconry, MEFA aims to safeguard and share the stories and knowledge contained in this literature, the historical contexts in which they were produced, as well as shedding light on the texts and manuscripts themselves.
Currently, ancient bibliographic resources on Middle Eastern falconry are scattered around the world and often inaccessible. The work of MEFA fulfils the vision of the Abu Dhabi government to be recognised as the custodian of this cultural history.
Our Vision
To maintain the intangible cultural heritage of Arabic falconry through the preservation of historical literature.
Our Mission
To create a repository of the heritage of falconry by assembling historical manuscripts and texts related to Arab falconry and to digitise and reproduce facsimiles of their content.
Through this vital repository, MEFA will preserve these important documents and safeguard the intangible traditions, stories and knowledge that underpin this ancient culture.
At the heart of our mission is the collection, exploration and dissemination of historical Arabic or Middle Eastern literature on falconry. This literature is preserved in manuscripts in libraries across the Middle East, Europe and Asia. While being highly specialised and presenting a variety of challenges, this literature preserves a rich historical and cultural heritage and is of interest to academics, falconers and anybody concerned with the cultural heritage of the UAE.
Preservation
“Documentary heritage reflects the diversity of languages, peoples and cultures. It is the mirror of the world and its memory. But this memory is fragile. Everyday, irreplaceable parts of this memory disappear forever.”
— UNESCO Memory of the World Programme
Manuscripts are distinct antiquities. Once destroyed, they are lost forever to humankind. Accidents and mishaps lead to their destruction. Therefore, it is crucial to identify, preserve and study, any and all remaining Arabic manuscripts featuring ancient texts about falconry.
What is remarkable about this rich history of the age of Arabic falconry literature is that handwritten copies of these books have survived until the present day. Apart from art historical evidence, these manuscripts are the single-most crucial testimony to the history of falconry in the Middle East and needs to be safeguarded.
The preservation of cultural heritage through digital technologies has become a significant area of focus for the cultural sector worldwide in recent years. Not only does it safeguard vital cultural heritage in digital records for future generations, but it also allows for this information to be shared more widely across the globe.