I am Dalaikhan
Salem, my name is Dalaikhan.
I am an eagle hunter in Bayan-Ölgii in the Altai Mountains. My community, the Kazakh, are very proud of traditional falconry that has been transmitted across many generations. My uncles, who were among the best hunters in our region, taught me how to spot, train and hunt with Golden Eagles, a most intelligent animal that we respect very much.
Treating your kill with respect
When a Kazakh hunts and kills an animal, every part of it is used and treated with respect.
We hold a deep affection for our eagles, exclusively choosing female specimens from the wild. Forming a profound bond necessitates a significant time investment. I selected my eagle for her powerful claws, strong grip, and impeccable eyesight—ideal for hunting rabbits, foxes, and even small wolves.
After around ten years, approximately one-third of their lifespan, we sense when it’s time to release them back into the wild. This decision is a crucial aspect of our commitment to their well-being and conservation.
We are semi-nomad in the Altai.
We are semi-nomads and have no permanent home or residence.
We live the westernmost province of Bayan-Ölgii, meaning ‘rich cradle’ in Mongolian. Winters here are extremely cold and long, whereas summers are short but hot.
The forests, lakes and steppes are home to wildlife, including bears, wolves, foxes, eagles and the elusive snow leopard.
The Golden Eagle Festival
Every year we host a two-day festival in Bayan-Ölgii Province, bringing together all the local eagle hunters to compete for the title of the best hunter.
Beyond the competition, the event is a pretext for us to come together and celebrate our cultural pride. On the opening day of the festival, we parade through the arena with our eagles on our arms. The eagles are released from the top of a cliff and are then expected to find their owners as fast as possible.
I am training my daughter to be an eagle huntress.
Preserving traditions means evolving with the times. When my daughter expressed her eagerness to join the traditionally male activity of eagle hunting, I brought it to the attention of the elders. Breaking with tradition requires forward-thinking.
Now, we proudly have more girls participating, fostering an inclusive environment that empowers youth to be true to themselves.
I want to travel the world, little by little.
Mongolia stands out as one of the world’s least populated countries. The contrast hit me when I visited China and India – bustling with people everywhere!
Amidst my travels, a 1,000-year-old castle in Jaipur, India, left the most lasting impression on me. Although I am a Muslim, on my travels I visited Buddhist monasteries and Christian churches.
It’s in these diverse experiences that I find the richness of being human.
I want other people to know about the Kazakhs.
Your visit is crucial to us as it contributes to the reinforcement of our unique traditions. If we don’t pass them down to the younger generations, they might cease to exist in the future.
