By: Alex
In the remote western regions of Mongolia, bordering Russia, a small group of nomadic people (mostly Kazakhs) still preserve the ancient tradition of eagle hunting. This age-old practice dates back over a thousand years. Hunters train golden eagles, often raised from a young age, to assist in hunting foxes and hares. Sadly, there are now only about 300 eagle hunters left.
In ancient times, eagle hunting was a symbol of nobility, and the golden eagle was the most commonly trained bird. These birds have always been difficult to train and command, so eagle hunters must possess extensive experience and skill to turn these raptors into expert hunters. Today, young people living in the Altai region of western Mongolia can own their own hunting eagles by the age of 13. Eagle hunters regard their golden eagles as precious as life itself, but when the eagles reach the age of 10, they are released back into the wild.
The annual Eagle Hunting Festival, held every September, not only attracts tourists but also draws eagle hunters from nearby areas to observe and exchange knowledge. Photographer Daniel Kordan, fascinated by nomadic culture, once immersed himself in the lives of a group of eagle hunters, aiming to showcase the unique culture of the nomads to the world through photography. Introduced by guides, he got to know local nomadic families and eagle hunters, allowing him to portray the power, skill, and genuine bond between the eagles and their handlers in a deeper way.
Daniel Kordan specializes in landscape and travel photography and frequently conducts photography workshops and photo-focused tours. Photography enthusiasts can view more of Daniel’s work on his personal website, Facebook, and Instagram.
Source: My Modern Met