The Bird Men of the Alatau, Central Asia
Falconry, the partial domestication of raptors to hunt prey useful to man, appears to have had its beginnings several thousand years ago in the mountainous region where China borders Kazakhstan.
The Kazakh eagle trainers in these pictures were among the few who continued the tradition in spite of Communism's attempt to snuff it out. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, during a three month trip to Central Asia, I went looking for those who had survived the Communist era and still practiced the art of falconry.
Sarsembek, Kazakh herdsman and eagle trainer, on horseback on the steppe below the Alatau mountain range, Kazakhstan.
Alik Turlibayev, Kazakh hunter with his eagle "Tien Giri", at Caryn Canyon, Kazakhstan.
Sarsembek with his golden eagle at Zalanash
Alik with "Tien Giri".
Sarsembek, 73 year old falconer, with his eagle at Zalanash
The talons of a golden eagle are strong enough to kill a wolf
Alik prepares to launch "Tien Giri" into flight at Caryn Canyon
Sarsembek on the gallop with his golden eagle
Sarsembek surveys the rolling grass valleys above Zalanash
Sarsembek relaxes at home with a cup of tea.
Sarsembek with Maigul, his daughter-in-law and grand children holding a photo of his parents who fled the Stalinist purges to China after he was born. He was raised in China where his father taught him the art of falconry before returning to Kazakhstan.
In Kazakh tradition man and eagle form a unique bond.