Eagle Festival
Golden Eagle festival is an annual traditional festival in Bayan-Ölgii aimag (Western Mongolia). Golden Eagle Festival is a must-see event in Asia, particularly in Mongolia. It is a festival to demonstrate the culture of the Kazakhs to the world and promotes their heritage to their next generations. Eagle Hunters celebrate their heritage and compete to catch small animals such as foxes and hares with specially trained golden eagle. This festival honors the ancient and revered practice of eagle hunting, a tradition that has been passed down through generations among the Kazakh nomads of Mongolia. The event celebrates the skill, bond, and heritage of the Burkitshi—the eagle hunters—who train and hunt with golden eagles.
This tradition has been practiced by the Kazakh people of Mongolia for over 2,000 years. Eagles are trained from a young age, and the relationship between the Burkitshi and their eagles is one of deep mutual respect and trust.
The festival is an opportunity to showcase this incredible bond between hunter and bird, as well as to preserve this ancient practice for future generations. The festival is also a celebration of Kazakh culture, and visitors are treated to stunning displays of traditional costumes, music, and dance. Kazakh folk songs, including those about the eagles and the beauty of the Altai Mountains, are performed on instruments like the dombra (a two-stringed guitar-like instrument).
The colorful costumes worn by the Burkitshi and their families add to the visual splendor of the event. The men often wear distinctive outfits, including long coats made from fur, while women might wear beautifully embroidered garments and headscarves. The biggest festival is at the first weekend of October every year. There are also few more festivals that happen in middle of September and march as well.The festival is held in the stunning Altai Mountains. The landscape adds to the mystique of the festival, making it a memorable experience for all attendees.
Although the festival is a deeply traditional and local event, it has grown in popularity among tourists from around the world. As an international event, it provides a unique opportunity to witness a centuries-old cultural practice while also promoting Mongolian tourism and cultural exchange.
This region is home to a significant Kazakh population in Mongolia, and the festival is a point of pride for the local community. The Golden Eagle Festival is much more than just a celebration of eagle hunting.
The festival is crucial in preserving and promoting the traditions of the Kazakh people, particularly the ancient practice of eagle hunting, which is an integral part of their cultural identity.
Standard Eagle festival program: The eagle festival lasts for 2 days. First day of the festival : Opening ceremony ,Traditional parade All eagle hunters will show their decorated horses and hunting outfits. (This is 1st step of eagle competition) Calling eagle on arm. ( Eagle will be released from top of mountain, and trainer must meet up eagle from the bottom just among people down. This is second step of competition) Uriankhai Archery competition “Tenge ilu” the competition to snatch coins from the ground Musical performance. Second day of the festival: Eagle hunters will be dragging death animal skins, but eagle must catch this skin pretending it is real fox or any live animal. ( This is 3rd competition) “Kiz Kuar” Kazakh traditional game, “ Kokpar” tug of war with an animal skin Closing ceremony of the eagle festival. Winner awording ceremony.
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