The Practice of Falconry
The practice of Falconry fulfils the requirements for recognition as an “Intangible Cultural Heritage” as the skills and knowledge required to perform the Art, must be learned in the process of Master to Apprentice, and cannot adequately be developed from books or film. In recognition of this, South African Falconers represented by the South African Falconry Association and the 9 Provincial Clubs that form its membership, have established an Apprenticeship and Grading system. The consequence is that the Hawk Husbandry and Falconry skills seen in South African Falconers are exemplary. One result of this is that, in 2008, South Africa, with less than 150 active Falconers, hosted the International Association for Falconry and the Conservation of Birds of Prey (IAF) Annual Assembly of Delegates. This is a privilege normally enjoyed by larger Falconry nations such as the USA with 3500 falconers, Britain with 2500 falconers or the Czech Republic with 2500 falconers. Further recognition of South African Falconry has been the election of a South African Falconer to the post of Executive secretary of the IAF, itself a full member of the IUCN. Thus South African Falconers are represented at the highest levels of Falconry and Conservation.
