Eagle Hunters Inside Naadam Festival, Mongolia

 

 

 

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Eagle Hunters and Their Golden Eagles Inside the Naadam Festival, Mongolia: A Deep Dive into a Timeless Tradition

 

Mongolia’s Naadam Festival is a spectacular display of nomadic culture, athleticism, and age-old traditions. Among its most captivating participants are the Kazakh eagle hunters from Mongolia’s western Altai Mountains, a group whose unique relationship with their majestic golden eagles enthralls spectators from around the world. This tradition, so old it verges on myth, is a living testament to human-animal partnership, survival, and cultural identity.

This essay offers a deep exploration of the eagle hunters of Mongolia—their history, how they capture and train baby eagles, the rigorous bond that forms between man and bird, and how, ultimately, the cycle closes when the eagle is released back into the wild. Through this lens, we gain a richer understanding of how tradition, nature, and human spirit intertwine.

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1. The Origins and Cultural Significance of Eagle Hunting in Mongolia

Eagle hunting, or burkitshi in Kazakh, is a practice dating back over a millennium. Historically, it arose from a need for survival in the harsh, mountainous lands of Central Asia, including Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Before modern weaponry, hunting with trained birds of prey was an effective means to procure food and protect families during unforgiving winters.

In Mongolia, the eagle hunting tradition is deeply tied to the Kazakh minority in Bayan-Ölgii province. These Kazakh eagle hunters maintain a nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle, living in gers (traditional felt tents) or small rural settlements, herding livestock, and sustaining their livelihoods through the seasonal rhythms of the mountains.

The eagle is not just a tool but a cultural symbol—embodying strength, freedom, and connection to the vast untamed wilderness. The eagle hunter’s role is interwoven with ritual, pride, and respect toward nature, making it much more than mere hunting.

Within the Naadam Festival, the eagle hunters’ displays are among the most visually striking and emotionally resonant. It is here, amid the throngs of spectators and festivity, that spectators witness the extraordinary skill, control, and trust shared between hunter and eagle.

 

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2. The Golden Eagle: The Apex Predator and Cultural Icon

The star of this tradition is the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)—a majestic bird renowned for its power, sharp eyesight, and hunting prowess. These raptors boast a wingspan of up to two meters and a hunting diet including foxes, rabbits, marmots, and even small deer.

Beyond its physical prowess, the golden eagle holds a revered place in the spiritual cosmology of eagle hunters. It is often seen as a messenger between earth and sky, a symbol of divine protection, and a link between the hunter’s soul and the natural forces of the mountain.

The golden eagle’s longevity—living up to 30 years in the wild, sometimes longer in captivity—means that an eagle hunter’s relationship with their bird can span decades, a bond forged through skillful training, mutual respect, and shared survival.

 

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3. How Baby Eagles Are Captured: The Start of a Journey

 

Eagle hunters do not capture any golden eagle hastily; the process is steeped in both ritual and practical knowledge passed through generations.

Timing: Baby eagles are usually captured in early spring, when eaglets are about 45 days old—large enough to survive handling but still reliant on parental care. This seasonality is crucial to the survival prospects of the young bird and the success of the hunter’s training.

Location: Eagle hunters ascend the remote, jagged cliffs of the Altai Mountains, where eagle nests—eyries—are carefully scouted months in advance. Nest sites are often high above valleys, on inaccessible ledges protected from predators.

The Hunt for the Eaglet: The process involves climbing or rappelling down to the nest, a feat requiring expert mountaineering skills and incredible bravery since nests are precariously perched on rocks up to hundreds of meters above the valley floor.

Hunters typically take only one eaglet from a nest of two or three; this is thought to maintain population balance and ensure that the remaining chicks can survive.

During the capture, the eaglet is carefully wrapped in thick cloth to keep it calm and prevent injury to both the hunter and bird. The hunters handle the birds with practiced gentleness, aware that these fragile lives will soon become partners in a lifelong venture.

Ethical Considerations: Unlike practices associated with falconry elsewhere, the Kazakh eagle hunters’ relationship with the golden eagle involves a long-term commitment and reciprocal respect, and the practice has been described as sustainable and conservation-conscious.

 

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4. Training the Golden Eagle: From Wild Chick to Hunting Partner

 

Once the eaglet is brought safely to the hunter’s camp—usually a ger on the mountain plateau—the intense, delicate process of training begins.

Initial Quarantine and Bonding: The eaglet is first kept warm and fed a diet mimicking the nutritional needs found in the wild—typically raw meat such as rabbit, marmot, or fish. The eaglet is kept near the hunter or the hunter’s family to foster familiarity and reduce stress.

During this early phase, the eaglet is allowed to rest often and is gradually introduced to human presence to build trust.

Naming and Ceremony: Many hunters name their birds, often with names that evoke strength, speed, or spiritual significance. Naming is an act that formalizes the relationship.

Small ceremonies may accompany this stage, invoking blessings for the eagle’s health, safety, and successful partnership.

Introducing the Equipment: As the bird grows, it is accustomed to the equipment that will become vital in the hunts:

• Hoods: Lightweight leather or fabric hoods cover the eagle’s eyes to keep it calm during transit or handling.
• Jesses: Straps of leather known as jesses attach to the bird’s legs, helping the hunter maintain control without causing injury.
• Gauntlet (glove): The hunter’s thick leather glove provides a safe perch for the eagle.

Flight Training: The golden eagle’s training mimics a gradual reintroduction to flight. Initially, the bird is exercised on a leash or tethered at safe distances to build muscle.

Once strong enough, the eaglet is released for brief short flights around the camp with its handler calling it back with a traditional whistle or a vocal cue. This process is repeated daily or weekly over several months.

Hunting Training: Training for hunting is the pinnacle of this phase. The eagle is taught to fly from the hunter’s arm or from the back of a horse and chase down small prey released in controlled settings.

The hunter encourages the eagle to strike with precision and to return promptly after the kill or seizure of the game. Positive reinforcement comes through carefully prepared rewards and mutual trust.

Training is rigorous and requires infinite patience, as golden eagles are intelligent but fiercely independent creatures. Hunters’ success depends as much on reading their eagle’s moods and boundaries as on strict discipline.

 

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5. The Bond Between Eagle and Hunter: A Sacred Partnership

 

The relationship formed between the golden eagle and its hunter surpasses that of a typical pet-owner bond. This connection is a transcendent partnership—intertwined with deep respect, ritual, and an appreciation of each other’s strengths and vulnerabilities.

Daily Rituals: Eagle hunters maintain daily routines with their birds—cleaning, feeding, exercising, and speaking softly to their eagles. The eagle is often left to roost indoors during winter, close to the family, almost like a family member.

Symbolism of the Eagle: In Kazakh and Mongolian culture, the eagle represents freedom, vigilance, nobility, and direct connection to the heavens. Hunters often regard their eagle as a spirit guide or guardian.

Portraits and stories about eagle and hunter pairs depict anecdotes as profound as any human friendship—where an eagle senses the mood of its handler or where the hunter saves the bird from dangers unperceived by other eyes.

Mutual Dependence: The hunter depends on the eagle for practical subsistence, while the eagle benefits from human protection, food provision, and training to survive in harsh mountainous terrain.

It’s claimed by some hunters that the eagle responds to emotions in subtle ways—becoming restless or subdued as a reflection of the handler’s spirit.

 

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6. The Eagle Hunters and Their Eagles Inside the Naadam Festival

 

The Naadam Festival is a time when eagle hunters from all around the Altai Mountains gather, bringing their prized golden eagles for display and competition. This event provides a rare chance for outsiders and locals alike to witness this unique tradition in one grand spectacle.

Eagle Displays: At Naadam, eagle hunters showcase the eagle’s formidable hunting and flying capabilities through carefully choreographed demonstrations. The eagles fly from the outstretched arms of the hunter, sweep low across a stadium or valley, and sometimes catch live prey or simulated targets.

Traditional Dress and Presentation: The hunters dress in elaborately decorated deels, with fur-lined hats and boots reflecting their mountain heritage. The spectacle is not only about the eagle but the pageantry, pride, and ancient customs worn visibly and performed visibly.

Competitions: Some Naadam events feature eagle hunting competitions that test an eagle’s ability to respond rapidly, hunt accurately, and return promptly. While these competitions echo the necessity of hunting, they also emphasize training quality and the bird’s fitness.

Spiritual and Cultural Ceremonies: The festival also includes blessings and rituals performed by shamans or elders intended to honor the sacred bond between hunter and bird. These ceremonies reinforce values of respect, reciprocity, and continuity.

 

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7. When the Time Comes: Releasing the Eagle

 

Perhaps one of the most poignant aspects of the eagle hunter’s journey is the eventual release of the golden eagle back to the wild—a tradition reflecting the deep understanding of the eagle as an autonomous being rather than mere property.

Why Release? Depending on circumstances, some hunters release their eagles after a decade or more together, especially when the bird grows older or the bond requires renewal. Release is seen as an act of compassion and respect, allowing the eagle to resume its life in the wild, free to fly through the mountains.

How It Happens: The release is often accompanied by a ceremony, prayers, and rituals that honor both the eagle and the journey shared.

A hunter might carry the eagle to a remote ridge, remove its hood, and watch as the eagle ascends on the thermal winds. It is a moment of pride and a bittersweet farewell.

The Circle of Life and Renewal: Sometimes, released eagles are replaced by new eaglets brought from the wild the following year. This cyclical process keeps the tradition alive while respecting the golden eagle’s natural freedom.

Although not every eagle hunter releases their bird—some keeping their eagles until death—the knowledge that the eagle’s wildness is paramount is a defining principle of the tradition.

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8. Challenges Facing Eagle Hunting Today

 

The eagle hunting tradition, while resilient, faces modern challenges that threaten its future:

• Environmental Concerns: Climate change, habitat loss, and hunting pressures affect wild golden eagle populations and their prey.
• Modernization: Younger generations may be tempted by urban life or limited economic opportunities, making it difficult to pass on the traditional skills.
• Legal and Wildlife Protection Issues: Governments and international bodies regulate raptor capture and breeding to protect endangered species.
• Tourism and Commercialization: While tourism provides income and an incentive to preserve the culture, it also risks commodifying the practice in ways that dilute its authenticity.

Many eagle hunters and cultural advocates are engaged in balancing the desire to sustain the tradition with respect for wildlife conservation and evolving societal contexts.

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9. Personal Stories and Reflections from Eagle Hunters

 

Throughout Mongolia’s Altai region, eagle hunters share stories filled with pride, gratitude, and sometimes heartbreak. They recount mornings calling out to their eagle with a whistle—a sound as distinct and rhythmic as a heartbeat—and evenings spent beside firelight, fondling the bird’s feathers or humming traditional songs that soothe the eagle to rest.

For many, the eagle is not just a partner but an extension of the self, embodying courage and freedom. Hunters often speak about the spiritual lessons their birds impart: patience, resilience, and humility.

The joy of seeing an eagle soar across the mountain is balanced with the constant vigilance needed to care for these complex, powerful creatures.

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10. The Future of Eagle Hunting: Preservation and Innovation

 

Looking forward, eagle hunting remains a vital cultural treasure worthy of protection and revitalization.

Efforts are underway in Mongolia and Central Asia to:

• Support cultural education programs that teach younger generations the lore, skills, and ethical considerations of eagle hunting.
• Develop wildlife conservation projects that ensure sustainable eagle populations and respect for natural habitats.
• Promote ethical tourism and cultural exchanges that allow travelers to experience eagle hunting respectfully and authentically.
• Encourage international recognition, as seen in efforts to have Kazakh eagle hunting inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

By honoring the past and adapting wisely, the eagle hunters and their golden eagles can continue to thrive for centuries to come.

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The story of Mongolia’s eagle hunters and their golden eagles is a vivid chapter in the narrative of human connection to nature and cultural identity. The tradition encapsulates courage, patience, profound respect, and symbiosis—a delicate dance between ancient wisdom and contemporary reality.

Seen through the lens of the Naadam Festival, the eagle hunters are not only guardians of an extraordinary practice but also emissaries of Mongolia’s enduring spirit—a spirit born in mountains, carried by the winds, and reflected in the soaring flight of the golden eagle.

For travelers and enthusiasts, encountering this tradition is a moving journey into a world where nature and humanity soar as one. It is a testament to how cultures adapt, survive, and thrive through respect, ritual, and relationship, inspiring awe and deep reflection about our shared connection to the wild.

 

My Experience

 

Experiencing the Naadam Festival was, without a doubt, one of the most unforgettable moments of my travels in Mongolia. For Mongolians, Naadam is easily the biggest and most anticipated festival of the year—truly their one and only national celebration that pulses with life and history. Often called the second oldest Olympics in the world, this festival captures the very essence of Mongolia’s nomadic spirit and deep cultural pride.

The festival is held annually from July 11th to 13th, and arriving in Ulaanbaatar during these days means stepping into a vibrant swirl of color, energy, and tradition. The festivities explode into life with a stunningly colorful parade—athletes marching proudly alongside monks cloaked in saffron robes, soldiers in ceremonial attire, musicians brandishing traditional instruments, and people clad in the armors and costumes of ancient warriors. Watching this parade unfold, I felt as though the past and present were converging in a seamless celebration of identity and endurance.

Once the parade concluded, the focus turned to the heart of Naadam: the sports. Horse racing, archery, and Mongolian wrestling—often referred to as the “Three Manly Games”—are much more than competitions; they are living symbols of Mongolian history and survival. Witnessing these intensely competitive and highly skilled events was thrilling. The sheer power and grit of the wrestlers, the pinpoint accuracy of the archers, and the raw speed and endurance of the horses and their young jockeys—each event told a story about the resilience and spirit of the people.

But Naadam is far more than just a festival or a holiday for Mongolians. It is a powerful expression of pride in their traditions and a celebration of their unique nomadic culture, which has shaped their lives for centuries. While the Ulaanbaatar celebrations offered me the chance to marvel at grand spectacles, complete with coordinated displays and crowds of enthusiastic spectators, I learned that festivals in the countryside provide a different but equally enriching experience. There, you can engage directly with locals—sharing their food, listening to their stories, and even participating in the competitions or traditional games yourself. This close, participatory atmosphere made me feel more connected to Mongolia’s grassroots cultural roots.

During Naadam, I was struck by how much thought and respect is given to traditional rituals and practices. The festival participants honor centuries-old customs by wearing authentic costumes rich with symbolism—flowing deels in vibrant colors, boots crafted with care, and intricate hats that tell stories of ancestry. They use traditional bows, saddles, wrestling belts, and other sporting equipment that have been passed down through generations. I saw how deeply the people respect the athletes—both men and women, and even children who compete with fierce determination. The winners don’t just earn trophies or cash prizes; they are awarded honorary titles and lifelong recognition. Hearing ritual praise songs and poems sung in glowing tribute to the contestants added a poetic dimension to the excitement that I found deeply moving.

One of the most beautiful aspects of Naadam is that it invites everyone to be part of the celebration. There are no barriers—locals and visitors alike are encouraged to join in, whether by watching the competitions, cheering on the athletes, or simply immersing themselves in the communal spirit. This sense of inclusivity creates a powerful feeling of unity. At Naadam, I witnessed a Mongolian proverb in action: “A single arrow is easily broken, but not ten in a bundle.” Togetherness was woven into every moment of the festival.

Yet, if you’re like me and occasionally want a break from the intensity of the competitions, Naadam offers plenty beyond the sporting arena. The air buzzed with the aromas of traditional foods—smoked meats, freshly fried pastries called khuushuur, and the ever-present salty milk tea served in steaming bowls. At open-air markets, I browsed colorful handicrafts—handwoven textiles, leather goods, and jewelry—and watched musicians and dancers entertain crowds with lively performances rooted in Mongolian folklore and throat singing traditions. Sometimes, the best way to soak in the atmosphere was simply to sit on the sidelines and people-watch: the variety of traditional dress, the gleam of children’s eyes, the warmth of friendly smiles, and the easy camaraderie of strangers brought together by celebration.

Naadam truly felt like a living tapestry of Mongolia itself—a place where history and modern life danced together beneath the endless blue sky. It is the ultimate moment to witness the heart and soul of the Mongolian people, to feel their pride, their joy, and their unwavering connection to the land and each other. For anyone lucky enough to experience it, Naadam is more than just a festival—it’s a vivid reminder of the power of tradition and community to bring people together in celebration of life.

 

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After the festival, this is how the eagle hunters wrap their Eagles to take the birds home

 

 

 

Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!”
– Hunter S. Thompson

 

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