Ulaanbaatar
Khasarkhan Ilkhan: Domesticated Eagles Get Released Back into the Wild after Ten Years
Art & Culture
Ulaanbaatar, March 11, 2024 /MONTSAME/. One of the distinctive features of Mongolian winter tourism, the “Eagle Festival - 2024” was held for the 18th time at Chinggisiin Khuree Tourist Complex at the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar City on March 9-10, 2024. During the Festival, an eagle hunters’ competition was organized, with Ts. Jenisbek earning first place, followed by I. Khasarkhan in second, and Ch. Elbek claiming third place.
In anticipation of the Mongolian Kazakhs’ Nauryz, a celebration marking the spring season, the Eagle Festival aims at demonstrating and preserving the unique traditions, heritage, and culture of the Kazakh people, passing them on to the next generation. The parade of the eagle hunters dressed in traditional costumes and mounted on horseback, proudly displaying their most trusted friend, "Eagles," on their hands, commences the Festival.
This year, 20 eagle hunters from Bayan-Ulgii aimag participated in the “Eagle Festival - 2024,” showcasing their skills by catching shirga (artificial bait). Additionally, there was a performance of grabbing kokpar (leather bag) and coins from the ground, as well as a demonstration of hunting artificial bait with hunting dogs at the Festival.
Specialist at Office of Sagsai soum’s Administration Office Khasarkhan Ilkhan spoke about the traditional practice of training eagles for hunting. Khasarkhan said, “My father and brother have preserved the identity of the eagle hunting nation and domesticated five eagles so far. One of their four-year-old eagles is taking part in this eagle hunting competition. It has been 3 years and 6 months since this eagle was domesticated. Eagle is the name of the female of this species of a bird. The males are not trained for hunting because, not only they are physically weak and lighter in weight, but their strength is also incomparable to that of the females. This female eagle on my hand weighs 10-20 kg, while the male weighs 5-10 kg. Eagles are Domesticated at about 6 months and released into the wild after more than 10 years. This is done so that the females can have their offspring."
Khasarkhan came from Sagsai soum with his eagle in a specially prepared cradle, and travelled by bus for 36 hours to participate in the Festival.
