Preserved animals at 'Al Maha' Taxidermy in Souq Waqif (Photos: Ahlam Ghajjou / The Peninsula)
Doha, Qatar: In the heart of the 'Craft Center' in Souq Waqif, the Al Maha Taxidermy shop attracts tourists and visitors daily, as it showcases diverse preserved animals, presenting some of the country's wildlife heritage.
Inside the shop, the king of the jungle takes center stage, while on the walls and alongside the floor, there are gazelles, Arabian Oryx, rabbits, falcons and other preserved animals.
According to Malek Manssour, a vendor at Al Maha Taxidermy, falcons represent the most sought-after animals in the shop. This comes as no surprise given the deep-rooted fascination and emotional connection to hunting and falconry among Qatari and Gulf nationals. Falcons, revered as symbols of dignity, pride, and power, often forge intimate bonds with their owners. Upon the falcon's demise, some owners choose to immortalize them through taxidermy, preserving their memory for posterity.
"Many clients choose to preserve their cherished animals to keep their memory alive, especially those representing the cultural heritage of Qatar, like falcons and birds acquired through auctions at considerable expense," Manssour told The Peninsula.
The craftsmanship of taxidermy extends beyond borders, as Manssour explained, "There are animals that we bring from other countries, like this lion from Kenya, in addition to other animals that we cannot find in Qatar."
With two artisans dedicated to the meticulous art of taxidermy, the shop acquires animals from diverse sources including clients, veterinary hospitals, and international suppliers.
The taxidermist establishes criteria for those interested in animal preservation, with a key requirement being that the animal must not have been hunted, a measure aimed at protecting wild populations from overexploitation.
Preserved animals find their place in various settings, including households, majlises (traditional meeting places), and farms.
Being a rare craft in Qatar, taxidermy plays a significant role in bridging culture, art, and heritage. It not only entails the preservation of animals but also embodies a form of artistic expression that demands creativity, imagination, and meticulous attention to detail to faithfully capture the essence of the animals and their natural environments.
