Western Mongolia’s Altai region is one of the most remote spots on the planet. Few roads traverse this massive area, and the high icy peaks of the Altai Range bordering Mongolia, Kazakhstan, China, and Russia form an impenetrable wall that keeps all modern encroachments at bay. Traveling through this region at minus 10F in early November made me wonder how the hunters survive the harsh winter.
Aigerim is drawing her inspiration from Aisholpan, the first eagle huntress crowned at the Eagle festival in Ulgii in 2014. While there were many old Kazakh eagle hunters who vehemently rejected the idea of any female taking part in their ancient tradition, Aisholpan’s father, Nurgaiv, believed that a girl can do anything a boy can, if she is determined. Asker, Aigerim’s dad, is a firm believer that his daughter should not only become an eagle huntress, but also get educated.
Being stranded for three days in their winter home, I truly witnessed the bond that hunters have with their eagles. Khuatkhan was willing to test if his two eagles could cohabit in the same space. The answer was no, and it showed in his stoic face and the eagles menacing look. This image was taken after the “storm,” where feathers were flying all over the place and when Khuatkhan had to use all his strength to keep the eagles from ripping each other’s throat.
