Al-Mansur's Book on Hunting

The original manuscript of On Hunting was presented to the Hafsid Sultan of North Africa al-Mustansir bi-Allah, known as al-Mansur, in 1247. He was a passionate hunter with Saluqis, falcons and other predators on his estate at Bizerte. The complete book apparently dealt with all aspects of hunting and falconry but only Parts VII and VIII of Volume IV of the original seven volumes remains, which Abdulhafedh Mansur of Tunis University published as an edited text in Arabic in 1989. This book covers in particular the selection, breeding, feeding and training of Saluqis for hunting, and the treatment of canine diseases. It also deals with hunting with other predators, such as cheetahs, and by other means. It concludes with a catalogue of animals and birds suitable for hunting. This work draws heavily on earlier classical sources probably in Arabic translations and combines the essence of the medieval Arab view of both the theoretical and practical sides of preparing Saluqis and other predators for the chase and on the objects of the chase themselves. It should appeal therefore to all those interested in the Arab world and more particularly to those concerned with the origins of the Saluqi. Abdelhafidh Al-Mansur Research Professor of Manuscripts, University of Tunis, Tunisia. Sir Terence Clark studied Arabic at the School of Oriental African Studies, London University and the Middle East Centre for Arab Studies, Shemlan, Lebanon before a distinguished diplomatic career in the Middle East. He is an authority on Arab hunting, particularly with Saluqis. Muawiya Derhalli was a lecturer in Arabic at Durham University and Director of Middle Eastern programs and cross-cultural briefings at Farnham Castle. He has written a number of Arabic short stories and radio playsClarke, Terence is the author of 'Al-Mansur's Book on Hunting' with ISBN 9780856687440 and ISBN 0856687448.