I grew up in the United Arab Emirates where the falcon is the national bird. It’s on the national emblem and hence an ubiquitous sight on stamps, official documents, government buildings etc. If you spend considerable time in the Middle East, it’s not uncommon to come across an Arab with a menacing falcon perched on … Continue reading Falconry and the Arabs
Tag: History
The Nation as an Imagined Community
Today, almost every great power has a monument commemorating the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - to honor the men and women who laid down their lives in the service of their nation. Ever wondered why you’ve never ever come across the tomb of the unknown Marxist, the unknown Libertarian or the unknown chicken-tikka lover? … Continue reading The Nation as an Imagined Community
On Greek Shipping
That Jacqueline Kennedy married a Greek called Aristotle Onassis was known to me. That Onassis was a Greek shipping tycoon was known to me. That the probability of a shipping tycoon being Greek is pretty high was unknown to me - until last month. While reading the investigative thriller 'Dead in the Water', I came … Continue reading On Greek Shipping
