Kazakh Eagle Hunters

A visual homage to the indigenous Kazakh eagle hunters in Mongolia by Jimmy Nelson

By Jimmy Nelson

A visual homage of the Kazakh Eagle Hunters in Mongolia, by Jimmy Nelson

Khan la Khan, Ulaankhus, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Introduction

The Kazakh of today are the descendants of Turkic, Mongolic and Indo-Iranian indigenous groups and Huns that populated the territory between Siberia and the Black Sea. 

Altansogts in Khushuut, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia Landscape (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

The Kazakh are a semi-nomadic people and have roamed the mountains and valleys of western Mongolia with their herds since the 19th century.

Mongolia Map - Bayan Olgii (2011-03) by Jimmy Nelson Pictures B.V.Jimmy Nelson

Western Mongolia

The Kazakh mainly live in the province of Bayan-Ölgii, meaning ‘Rich Cradle’.

Hovd rivers, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Western Mongolia
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Mongolia's winters are home to an incredible seasonal landscape. Winters here are long and harsh, with temperatures ranging from -20°C to -45°C degrees.

Tolkhin, Ulaankhus, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Oral history

The Kazakh have a tradition of oral history. They lean heavily on their clan and remember at least seven generations of their ancestors' names in order ''not to forget where they come from''.

Bakhbergen, Ris & Khan la Khan, Traditional Yurt, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Traditional yurt tents

A traditional yurt is a portable, round tent covered with skins or felt, and is used as a dwelling by the nomads of the steppes of Mongolia. Walls are either made out of wood or bamboo and are arranged in an angled assembly or latticework. The traditional yurt furthermore has a door frame, ribs and a wheel. The roof structure is often self supporting, but large yurts may have interior posts supporting the crown.

Ergalim, Altansogts, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Xani, Golden Eagle Festival, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Nomadic lifestyle

Most Kazakh in this remote, mountainous region are dependent on domestic animals for their livelihood. For more than two centuries, Kazakh have hunted on horseback with trained golden eagles. 

Idrish, Kairathkan, Nurkairath & Bashakhkhan, sunset, Altai Mountains, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Across mountains and steppes, a large variety of animals are hunted for their fur, including rabbits, marmots, foxes and even wolves. This fur is an integral part of traditional Kazakh clothing.

Young Kazakh, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

The skill of training golden eagles is passed on through generations.

Young Kazakh eagle hunter, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Transition from childhood to manhood
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Bakhbergen, Samil & Kamilla, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Families

Many families move several times a year with their herds between fixed seasonal settlements. Others with smaller herds will set up a yurt closer to their winter home during the summer.

Kazakh eagle hunters, sunrise, Altai Mountains, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Kazakh eagle hunters, Altai Mountains, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Mongolian republic

Up until 1930, the nomads would freely move between Kazakhstan, Mongolia and the Chinese province of Xinjiang. Modern borders have restricted their movement. 

Khairatkhan, Golden Eagle Festival, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

After the founding of the Mongolian People's Republic in 1924, many of the Mongolian Kazakh gave up their semi-nomadic lifestyle and began settling down in the western Mongolian highlands. 

Kazakhs in Ulaankhus, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Today the Kazakh in the province of Bayan-Ölgii number around 87.000, which is 88.7% of the provincial population.

Tolbo Lake, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Population

Across the country they represent around 4% of the Mongolian population. 

Kazakhs at Tolbo Lake, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Sani, Kemi & Acbinbex, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Kazakh eagle hunter, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Clothing

Eagle hunters wear boots, black coats and fox fur hats called 'loovuuz'. 

Xasembek, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

The mid-October Golden Eagle Festival signals the opening of the hunting season. It's a colourful and picturesque event attracting the best hunters and their birds.

Frozen landscape, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Bayan-Ölgii provence is located in the extreme west of Mongolia, only separated from Kazakhstan by a 40km strip of Russian and Chinese mountains.

Nurkairath, Ergalim & Khan la Khan, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Spectacular landscapes
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Kazakhs riding Mongol horses, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Mongol horses

The Mongol horse is the native horse breed of Mongolia. Because of their small size, they are often mistaken for ponies. In Mongolia, the horses live outdoors all year. 

Mongol horses, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Mongol horses
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The horses play a central role in the daily life of the Kazakh. Mongolia holds more than 3 million horses, the equine population outnumbering the country's human population.

Buzkashi Horse Game, Kazakh, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

It is traditionally said that "a Kazakh without a horse is like a bird without wings".

Portrait Ergalim, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

The Kazakh have close extended families, a rich culture, and many old traditions that are still practiced today.

Altansogt, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Idrish, Khairatkhan, Nurkairath & Bashakhkan, Altai Mountains, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Ergalim, Altai Mountains, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Shamanic beliefs

The Kazakh wear beads and talismans to protect themselves from evil. Shamanic beliefs have been widely preserved among the Kazakh.

Altansogts, Altai Mountains, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Back of beyond
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Khairatkhan, Ulaankhus, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Acbinbex, Songingst, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Religion

Islam was brought to the ancestors of the Kazakh in the 8th century. Most Kazakh are Sunni Muslims. More often than not, they continue to believe in pre-Islamic cults of the sky, the ancestors, fire and the supernatural forces of good and evil spirits, giants and wood goblins. 

Biluu, Ulaankhus, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

See time having passed
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Altai Mountains and white river, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Golden Eagle Festival, Kazakh, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Cultural difference

The Kazakh of Mongolia are culturally and ethnically different from Mongolians, language and religion being the two primary cultural markers. 

Nurkairath & Ergalim, Golden Eagle Festival, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Language

The Kazakh language belongs to Turkic family of languages, and is the dominant language in Bayan-Ölgii.

Ergalim & Nurkairath, Kazakh, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Ergalim, Nurkairath & Ris, Altai Mountains, White river, Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy NelsonJimmy Nelson

Jimmy Nelson saying goodbye to the Kazakh Eagle HuntersJimmy Nelson

Jimmy Nelson with the Kazakhs in Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy Nelson PicturesJimmy Nelson

Preview of the pictures
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Behind the scenes: at the end of the day, Jimmy shows his pictures to several Kazakh men, making plans together for him to return to share the pictures.

Jimmy Nelson and the Kazakh eagle hunters in Mongolia (2011-03) by Jimmy Nelson PicturesJimmy Nelson

Stories of our cultures

“When you are vulnerable you can connect with people on any level. We just have to wake up to a new reality: a traditional way of living is disappearing among indigenous peoples. These extraordinary cultures have an important message for modern man as we are all at a vulnerable junction in the history of human. We should forever be grateful to them for sharing their knowledge and wisdom with us - for showing us, in many diverse ways, what it truly means to be human. Not one of us will live on this earth forever. But the stories of our cultures will be passed on from generation to generation."

Credits: Story

Jimmy Nelson Pictures BV
Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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