Local Pigeon fanciers now dream of more recognition by the Egyptian government to get their committee as an official sport and federation. The public pigeon lofts formalize a hidden community in Egypt that is filled with passion and dedication.
What is a Ghawai ?
In Nasr City, a high Pigeons loft crowns the building with colorful wooden shapes that contain pigeon’s collections that instead of being a meal for somebody, it earned medals and cups for its owner Ahmed Al Al khalif. Ahmed Al Khalif is 45 years old Egyptian male that is one of the most remarkable Egyptian pigeons fancier that won regional and worldwide prizes in various pigeons Competitions. He started this hobby since he was a little kid by inheriting it from his father, who also spent his whole life after purchasing, collecting, and selling different pigeon types.
“I kept watching my dad whistling and waving the flag here for pigeons who fly in troupes, I felt a strange feeling that one day I should do though. I started to do little tasks like preparing food for them, ensuring that young pigeons have the right food with temperature, changing the water inside the nests, and finally prepare training tools for my father before he comes to the flag and net.” Said by Ahmed Al Khalif
If you are fancier in Egypt, that means in arabic “Ghawaii” and Ghawii in Arabic refers to a person who has a certain hobby representing his passion and interest in life with dedication. A fancier will dedicate his time and sources to develop his troupes to be more powerful and various. This type of hobby cost money due to food and medicine expenses.
Covid-19 and Loft as a Shelter
“Before 2020 and COVID-19, I used to spend more than 3000 Egyptian pounds per two months for food and medicines, but from selling also you can achieve some profit . The most profitable thing in pigeons is the young pigeons with pure blood and kind. After you can make profit also out of some kinds popular as poultry like the local Egyptian pigeon but Roumii and Zagal types are for commotions and good looking pigeons.” Al Khalif said. Following the virus's outbreak in Egypt, the government imposed a curfew, prohibiting public gatherings that could raise the risk of transmission, such as free public markets, which are the most lucrative marketplaces for fanciers. Khalif admitted that during the lockdown and curfew he spent most of his time at his loft with family and close friends who share the same hobbies.
Zagal as Luxury Pigeon and old messenger
According to the local market prices, pigeon’s types vary in value and price. The most expensive one is Zagal type, which can travel long distances and can remember places and traveling for long distances. Historically, old nations like Roman Empire trained and used Zagal Pigeons for communications and mailing system.
Al Khalif stated that each year in the Middle East competition for Zagal he sends two Zagal pigeons each from Egypt to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and in the local competition he sends one from Alexandria to Aswan. Zagal price can reach from 25,000 Egyptian pounds to 50,000 Egyptian pounds and more (per 2 Zagal pigeons. In the second place, king type price varies from 500 Egyptian pounds to 5000 Egyptians pounds. King is a hybrid type that can reach 1 Kilogram with well-filled body. The third place is Pakistani type that is well known for its speed and tiny body and it can reach up to 10 thousand Egyptian pounds. The local Egyptian pigeon price can reach up to 70 Egyptian pounds and it is a good source of meat for the Egyptians and it can grow fast and it is widespread popular and common in Egypt
According to ministry of Agriculture in Egypt, Pigeons trade market equals two billion Egyptian pounds every year by producing 45 million pigeon annually. (https://www.eekn.net/posts/590232). Egyptians consider pigeons as a type of popular poultry meal that they eat in different meals, restaurants, and special occasions also like weeding parties.
Open Public Market is the official Market
Al Sayda Aisha public market is one of the most famous markets for pigeons and other animals in Egypt and it is popular in some Arabic countries. Said by Abo Youssef .Abo Youssef are 40 Years old Egyptian male who is a trader at Sayda Aisha market and pigeon Fancier.
Here you can find various collections of pigeons and other animals such as dogs, lizards, falcons, even wolf and foxes can be found here. Said by Abo Youssef. One day, fanciers and traders can make profits to the more than 2000 Egyptian pound for pigeons and someday they show off your pigeons as an open gallery for the people. This market is for the amateurs, but real fanciers go for specialized associations that afford different specs and qualifications for the prices. The determination of the price can be determined to the shape, eyes, and legs, so it is not like the market but it has some qualifications.
New Trends for Pigeon Fanciers
Al Khalif is a remarkable member of the Egyptian Federation for Homing Pigeons that started to empower its existence through online platforms such as websites and social media."The latest thing now is the Facebook website that encourages us, by showing the pigeon with its specs and costs, to take actions such as share images from our pigeon-selling prices, postings on diseases or suggestions for supporters. khalifa said
Alternatively, competitions gather participants and judges on social media where fanciers enroll and share events on the ground through official Facebook pages and groups that made it closer globally and locally. Fanciers went for making the Arabic community of fanciers getting more interactions and sharing content about pigeons through various platforms. “Some fanciers travel from Saudi Arabia or Oman to buy, exchange pigeons. Others attend competitions or events as sponsors to afford the expenses. “Khalifa said
According to Khalifa, there have been several demands for establishing official pigeon fanciers' union, which the government can fund and offer official identifications alongside sponsored competition. “Many members started asking the government by contacting the Ministry of Youth and Sports to get our hobby recognized as an official sport.” According to Khalif
What is a Ghawai ?
In Nasr City, a high Pigeons loft crowns the building with colorful wooden shapes that contain pigeon’s collections that instead of being a meal for somebody, it earned medals and cups for its owner Ahmed Al Al khalif. Ahmed Al Khalif is 45 years old Egyptian male that is one of the most remarkable Egyptian pigeons fancier that won regional and worldwide prizes in various pigeons Competitions. He started this hobby since he was a little kid by inheriting it from his father, who also spent his whole life after purchasing, collecting, and selling different pigeon types.
“I kept watching my dad whistling and waving the flag here for pigeons who fly in troupes, I felt a strange feeling that one day I should do though. I started to do little tasks like preparing food for them, ensuring that young pigeons have the right food with temperature, changing the water inside the nests, and finally prepare training tools for my father before he comes to the flag and net.” Said by Ahmed Al Khalif
If you are fancier in Egypt, that means in arabic “Ghawaii” and Ghawii in Arabic refers to a person who has a certain hobby representing his passion and interest in life with dedication. A fancier will dedicate his time and sources to develop his troupes to be more powerful and various. This type of hobby cost money due to food and medicine expenses.
Covid-19 and Loft as a Shelter
“Before 2020 and COVID-19, I used to spend more than 3000 Egyptian pounds per two months for food and medicines, but from selling also you can achieve some profit . The most profitable thing in pigeons is the young pigeons with pure blood and kind. After you can make profit also out of some kinds popular as poultry like the local Egyptian pigeon but Roumii and Zagal types are for commotions and good looking pigeons.” Al Khalif said. Following the virus's outbreak in Egypt, the government imposed a curfew, prohibiting public gatherings that could raise the risk of transmission, such as free public markets, which are the most lucrative marketplaces for fanciers. Khalif admitted that during the lockdown and curfew he spent most of his time at his loft with family and close friends who share the same hobbies.
Zagal as Luxury Pigeon and old messenger
According to the local market prices, pigeon’s types vary in value and price. The most expensive one is Zagal type, which can travel long distances and can remember places and traveling for long distances. Historically, old nations like Roman Empire trained and used Zagal Pigeons for communications and mailing system.
Al Khalif stated that each year in the Middle East competition for Zagal he sends two Zagal pigeons each from Egypt to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and in the local competition he sends one from Alexandria to Aswan. Zagal price can reach from 25,000 Egyptian pounds to 50,000 Egyptian pounds and more (per 2 Zagal pigeons. In the second place, king type price varies from 500 Egyptian pounds to 5000 Egyptians pounds. King is a hybrid type that can reach 1 Kilogram with well-filled body. The third place is Pakistani type that is well known for its speed and tiny body and it can reach up to 10 thousand Egyptian pounds. The local Egyptian pigeon price can reach up to 70 Egyptian pounds and it is a good source of meat for the Egyptians and it can grow fast and it is widespread popular and common in Egypt
According to ministry of Agriculture in Egypt, Pigeons trade market equals two billion Egyptian pounds every year by producing 45 million pigeon annually. (https://www.eekn.net/posts/590232). Egyptians consider pigeons as a type of popular poultry meal that they eat in different meals, restaurants, and special occasions also like weeding parties.
Open Public Market is the official Market
Al Sayda Aisha public market is one of the most famous markets for pigeons and other animals in Egypt and it is popular in some Arabic countries. Said by Abo Youssef .Abo Youssef are 40 Years old Egyptian male who is a trader at Sayda Aisha market and pigeon Fancier.
Here you can find various collections of pigeons and other animals such as dogs, lizards, falcons, even wolf and foxes can be found here. Said by Abo Youssef. One day, fanciers and traders can make profits to the more than 2000 Egyptian pound for pigeons and someday they show off your pigeons as an open gallery for the people. This market is for the amateurs, but real fanciers go for specialized associations that afford different specs and qualifications for the prices. The determination of the price can be determined to the shape, eyes, and legs, so it is not like the market but it has some qualifications.
New Trends for Pigeon Fanciers
Al Khalif is a remarkable member of the Egyptian Federation for Homing Pigeons that started to empower its existence through online platforms such as websites and social media."The latest thing now is the Facebook website that encourages us, by showing the pigeon with its specs and costs, to take actions such as share images from our pigeon-selling prices, postings on diseases or suggestions for supporters. khalifa said
Alternatively, competitions gather participants and judges on social media where fanciers enroll and share events on the ground through official Facebook pages and groups that made it closer globally and locally. Fanciers went for making the Arabic community of fanciers getting more interactions and sharing content about pigeons through various platforms. “Some fanciers travel from Saudi Arabia or Oman to buy, exchange pigeons. Others attend competitions or events as sponsors to afford the expenses. “Khalifa said
According to Khalifa, there have been several demands for establishing official pigeon fanciers' union, which the government can fund and offer official identifications alongside sponsored competition. “Many members started asking the government by contacting the Ministry of Youth and Sports to get our hobby recognized as an official sport.” According to Khalif