Syria’s best-known woman hunter speaks to Sayd about passion without bloodlust, sexist comments, the need for a seasonal hunting law, and ethical practice that protects both hobby and nature.
Syria’s most famous woman hunter embraces nature with a mother’s love and takes her quarry with a falcon’s skill — without hesitation. It is the balance of spirit and body, skill and knowledge: harmony between nature and the responsible human being. Amani, a daughter of Aleppo, whose children take pride in her in hunting clothes because they feel her strength and capability — and who has never disappointed them with a delicious meal prepared by her skilled hands.
She said in the interview:
- The direct reasons that drew me into hunting were contact with hunters, my passion, and watching nature — not a love of killing any living creature.
- The most positive press comment that affected me was: “A queen from my country who managed to balance her household duties and her hobby, and was creative and distinctive.” Of course there are negative comments too, including: “A woman’s place is the kitchen.”
- I have only outperformed men at shooting fixed targets — which embarrasses some of them. In the Salamiyah area during the season for the zar‘i bird, men always lead.
- I keep my children away from hunting guns for their safety.
- The obsession with boasting and attracting attention is a social blight amplified by social media.
- Issuing a new, organised hunting law that respects seasons in Syria is a core concern for hunters there. Several meetings have taken place between international associations and official bodies to draft a new hunting law that considers both the environment and the hunter… and we wait.
- Hunting kit is essential for survival: water, food, a knife, and emergency gear. In dangerous areas such as deserts and forests, extra equipment is needed — a whistle, a flare, plus a mobile phone or radio. Most important: trips to such areas should be in a group, not alone.
- On one bird-hunting trip along a riverbank in Tartous Governorate I ended up fishing: I left my companions, swam, and caught fish — which made them laugh.
- Once I climbed a mountain in Tartous, slipped, and rolled five metres down over stones, leaves, and thorns. I had some bruises, but I will certainly repeat that trip later.
- Yes, a woman hunter’s presence among hunters helps curb illegal hunting. I have felt that in meetings and hunting lectures I joined: everyone tries to present a respectable image of themselves and of their knowledge of the difference between random shooting and responsible hunting that protects the hobby — and that is good.
- The only time I hunted outside Syria was in the Qaa area of Lebanon.
- I love hunting very much in my country. Syria is a hunting country par excellence, and I hope laws are issued soon that allow me to move and hunt in all regions as in other countries.
- My preferred game… thrush (samman) and duck.
- I call on hunters to practise ethical, humane hunting that does not harm nature and does not drive birds toward extinction.
- I hope that in our countries, as in many others, the hunter will also hunt with the lens — so that the relationship with nature is not only a relationship with the gun.
