The Mongolian Eagle Hunters' Association will hold the Golden Eagle Festival-2022 on October 1-2 in Bugat soum of Bayan-Ulgii aimag in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the Governor's Office of Bayan-Ulgii aimag, and the aimag's Department of Environment and Tourism.
The westernmost Bayan-Ulgii province is 1600 kilometres from Ulaanbaatar, and domestic flights are the primary mode of transportation for visitors from Ulaanbaatar.
A total of 100 hunters with golden eagles are anticipated to take part in the annual celebration, preserving the ancient legacy and demonstrating trainer and bird skills.
It all begins with a horseback parade of eagle hunters showing their expensive hunting costumes and accessories.
The eagles are graded on their speed and agility when they are released from a cliff and swoop down to land on the arms of the hunters below.
The hunters demonstrate their bravery and horsemanship by taking part in a variety of traditional sports.
Prizes are given for speed, agility, and accuracy, as well as the best traditional Kazakh attire, among other things. Awards such as Best Turned Out Eagle and Owner, Best Eagle at Hunting Prey, and Best Eagle at Locating its Owner from a Distance will be bestowed best participants.
Bayan-Ulgii is home to an estimated 200-300 eagle hunters.
Their falconry tradition entails horseback hunting with golden eagles, and they primarily hunt red foxes and hares.
During the harsh winter months, when the gold-colored foxes are easier to detect against the snow, they use eagles to hunt foxes and hares.
They also compete in Buzkashi, a sport in which horse-mounted players attempt to place a goat or calf carcass in a goal.
Since Mongolia is one of the few countries that still practises the 6000-year-old tradition of eagle hunting, the festival is held twice a year, once in Ulaanbaatar in the spring and once in the most Western Bayan-Ulgii aimag in the fall.
In 2010, UNESCO inscribed eagle hunting, also known as Falconry, to its Representative List of Humanity's Intangible Heritage.
In Mongolia, the Eagle Festival is a must-see event. It is a festival that showcases Kazakh culture to the rest of the globe.
The Golden Eagle Festival in October, draws a huge number of tourists and photographers. Domestic flights and local lodging have limited availability.
The Golden Eagle Festival in Mongolia sounds like an incredible experience! It's amazing to see such a rich, ancient tradition preserved and celebrated with such pride. The event, especially with its horseback parade and eagle demonstrations, offers a rare glimpse into the unique bond between the Kazakh eagle hunters and their majestic birds. The way they compete for speed, agility, and hunting prowess is fascinating, and the cultural aspect, with traditional Kazakh attire and horsemanship, adds another layer of authenticity. For anyone interested in history, culture, or wildlife, attending this festival calendar would be a truly unforgettable experience! It’s easy to see why the event attracts so many photographers and visitors each year.