More on the Kazahk Eagle Festival

SystemSystem Registered Users Posts: 8,186 moderator
edited October 23, 2005 in People
Hey all,

For centuries the Kazahk people have trained eagles for the sport of hunting foxes, etc. The westernmost province (aimag) of Mongolia, Bayan-Ulgii, is made up of about 90% Kazahk people. Every October they have competitions where they show off the skills of their eagles. They incorporate other games in this competition including archery, horse racing, a game of horse riding skill where they pick flags off of the ground at a dead run, and another game where two riders fight over the body of a dead goat!
The eagles are very large! I will include a picture of the youngest contestant who, at 10 years of age, looks about the same size as his bird.

Hope you enjoy,

Caleb

PS - I know you have seen this fellow before but this image seems a bit sharper.

Comments

  • SystemSystem Registered Users Posts: 8,186 moderator
    edited October 19, 2005
    This good looking youngster was the youngest competitor at 10.
  • SystemSystem Registered Users Posts: 8,186 moderator
    edited October 19, 2005
    My wife and I happened to sit ourselves at the base of the small mountain from where they would release the eagles. The young lad pictured above came and sat just above us where I caught this intimate shot of a boy and his bird.
  • SystemSystem Registered Users Posts: 8,186 moderator
    edited October 19, 2005
    On the first day of the competition the eagles are released from the top of a small mountain when their owner calls for them. They are then expected to land on the right arm of the rider!
  • bfjrbfjr Registered Users Posts: 10,980 Major grins
    edited October 19, 2005
    that eagle is about as big or bigger then the boy :wow
    what a great trip you must of had !!
    Benjamin
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  • SystemSystem Registered Users Posts: 8,186 moderator
    edited October 19, 2005
    Twin Beaks?
  • SystemSystem Registered Users Posts: 8,186 moderator
    edited October 19, 2005
    This guy just had the softest expression.
  • SystemSystem Registered Users Posts: 8,186 moderator
    edited October 19, 2005
    On the second day of the competition a rider drags a pelt some distance behind the horse and, once again, the eagles are called from the top of the mountain but now are expected to attack the pelt.
  • SystemSystem Registered Users Posts: 8,186 moderator
    edited October 19, 2005
    A couple of competitors just killin' time.
  • SystemSystem Registered Users Posts: 8,186 moderator
    edited October 19, 2005
    This old fellow risks life and limb to pick a flag off the ground from the back of his horse at a dead run!
  • rahmonsterrahmonster Registered Users Posts: 1,376 Major grins
    edited October 19, 2005
    Fabulous work! I love seeing cultures from all over the world. That shot of the boy and his bird is something specialclap.gif I liked the twin beaks toorolleyes1.gif
    www.tmitchell.smugmug.com

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  • SystemSystem Registered Users Posts: 8,186 moderator
    edited October 19, 2005
    "It's my goat!" "No....it's mine I say!
  • NicoleNicole Registered Users Posts: 65 Big grins
    edited October 19, 2005
    What a great post!!! Thanks for sharing your trip with us.
    Nicole
  • KevinKalKevinKal Registered Users Posts: 246 Major grins
    edited October 19, 2005
    Great set
    Thank you for sharing these fabulous pictures - it's nice to see how different the World can be around us. Beautiful pictures too!

    Cheers,
    Kevin K.
  • SystemSystem Registered Users Posts: 8,186 moderator
    edited October 19, 2005
    Thanks all. I don't have a 20D but I try!

    Caleb
  • DewDropDewDrop Registered Users Posts: 22 Big grins
    edited October 19, 2005
    Caleb wrote:
    Thanks all. I don't have a 20D but I try!

    Caleb
    Wonderful series and fascinating story. Thanks for sharing!
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,703 moderator
    edited October 20, 2005
    Great narrative series Caleb. Very interesting and colorful insight into Mongolian culture. Thanks again!!
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • Yuri PautovYuri Pautov Registered Users Posts: 1,918 Major grins
    edited October 20, 2005
    Caleb!
    Spasibo for your serial - very interesting and giving a feeling of holiday!
    Yuri
  • erich6erich6 Registered Users Posts: 1,638 Major grins
    edited October 20, 2005
    These are awesome Caleb! clap.gifclap.gif

    Erich
  • SystemSystem Registered Users Posts: 8,186 moderator
    edited October 20, 2005
    Yuri Pautov wrote:
    Caleb!
    Spasibo for your serial - very interesting and giving a feeling of holiday!
    Yuri
    Yuri,

    Thanks for looking and taking the time to comment. Appreciate that coming from you!

    Caleb
  • SystemSystem Registered Users Posts: 8,186 moderator
    edited October 20, 2005
    erich6 wrote:
    These are awesome Caleb! clap.gifclap.gif

    Erich
    Thanks Erich:D
  • Ann McRaeAnn McRae Registered Users Posts: 4,584 Major grins
    edited October 20, 2005
    Caleb
    These are really special. Wonderful shots, wonderful story.
    Thanks for sharing.

    ann

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  • SystemSystem Registered Users Posts: 8,186 moderator
    edited October 21, 2005
    Thanks Ann. It was pretty cool to see these guys in action!
  • Thiago SigristThiago Sigrist Registered Users Posts: 336 Major grins
    edited October 22, 2005
    Caleb, great stuff you have here!
    I absolutely love #5 and #6, the compositions are great, and show so much character from those people.

    Thanks so much for sharing!
    Take care!

    -- thiago
  • SystemSystem Registered Users Posts: 8,186 moderator
    edited October 23, 2005
    Thiago,


    Thanks for commenting! Always looking for interesting faces. You must see some in your part of the world.

    Thanks again,

    Caleb
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