Kazakh national hunting art of berkutchi. Berkutchi of Kazakhstan - traditions of national hunting: hunting with a golden eagle in Kazakhstan (video)

Hunting with birds of prey is an impressive sight! The gracefulness of the birds is off scale. They can make up to 70 bets without a break. With all this, when attacking prey, develop a speed of up to 100 meters per second. The hunters have come a long way from fishing to the fun of kings. Then, for a long time, hunting with the hunters remained in oblivion.

A bit of history

Hunting with birds of prey was carried out many years ago. Hunters used their assistants to capture game birds. But when it became widely used firearms, this type of hunting has lost its popularity.

Common list of birds of prey

• Golden eagle is a large eagle. Its weight reaches 4 kilograms, it perfectly suits the role of a hunting bird. Its wingspan is about 2 meters. Females are usually slightly larger than males. They have a dark brown feather color. He chooses forest belts, mountainous terrain, and also settles in the desert.
• Balaban is a small predator, with a wingspan of 1.5 meters it weighs a little more than 1 kilogram. Feathers are colored brown. Prefers to settle in forest-steppe regions.
• Peregrine Falcon is a representative of the falcon genus, a medium-sized bird with a wingspan of 1.2 meters and weighing 1.3 kilograms. The peregrine falcon has a gray-gray color and will be an excellent assistant for you in sport hunting.
• Gyrfalcon is the largest species of the Falcon genus. Rare individuals, which had a white color, were considered the most expensive hunting birds. The wingspan reach a length of 1.3 meters, and the gyrfalcon weighs 2 kilograms.
• The goshawk is a bird from the genus of hawks with a brown or gray color, the weight of the individual is 1.5 kilograms, the wingspan is 1.3 meters.
• The Sparrowhawk got its nickname for a reason. Such an assistant will be simply irreplaceable in quail hunting. Its small size allows it to be fast and agile. Adults weigh no more than 300 g, and the wingspan barely exceeds 80 cm.

To begin with, you need to buy a bird from people specializing in this topic or in a store, or catch the future assistant yourself. In order for a bird to serve you faithfully, you need to "pull" it out of its usual habitat and tame it. Many experts recommend taking matured chicks or those fledglings that already know how to fly. At this age, birds learn more easily.

After the future prey bird is caught, it is necessary to place it in wooden box or in a special spacious wicker basket. Don't forget about access fresh air and a comfortable warm pad. The diet of a predatory hunter is finely chopped and pre-cleaned meat, to which a raw egg... As for the meat, the bird of prey does not matter what kind it is. The main thing is that it must be fresh and, if possible, fat-free. Bones are added to the food so that the predator does not get sick with rickets. Don't forget about water. Many hunters love to take baths. If you have such a bird, then you need to place a shallow basin where it is kept.

The hunting chicks are fed 2-3 times a day, and if you already have an adult, then 1 feeding will be enough. If you went hunting with a hunter and fed her before that, the day will be wasted. A well-fed bird will not chase game. It is necessary to maintain strict control over proper nutrition.

It is necessary to keep the bird in shape so that it does not weaken, but also does not become obese. The keel on the chest serves to determine the presence of excess body weight. If it is sharp and protrudes, the bird is not well fed, and if the keel is not felt, it is time for your pet to lose weight.

Take care of the roost too. It is usually made from a stump of wood, which will be previously upholstered with cloth. A hunting bird will sit well on this “chair”.

There are categories of hunters that shed. If your bird is one of these, then it will need special care so that it does not fall out too many feathers. If this happens, she will not be able to help you in the hunt.

Preparing for the hunt

In order to become your irreplaceable assistant, she must be tamed until she gets used to you. To do this, you need to feed her yourself, often wear it on your hand, while using a hood that closes her eyes. After these operations, the bird will feel relaxed on your hand. When she gets used to you, you can start teaching her how to hunt.

The prey bird is not given food for several days and is deprived of the opportunity to rest and sleep. These days, the bird is most often carried on its hand. After that, they are taught to eat from the hand, then they are released a short distance, controlling the flight with the help of a long cord, and lured with the help of the established call. It will be ideal if the bird arrives at your call without using baits and leashes. Then the predator is taught to hunt directly, at first they use a special scarecrow (lure), and then a live bait. The end of this stage of training is that the bird will not peck at the prey, but simply brings it to the owner.

Practice shows that the easiest to learn are chicks that have been taken out of the nest, it is more difficult with young fledglings, and it is practically impracticable to train an adult large hunting bird to help in hunting. However, although chicks taken from the nest are easily trained, they grow much weaker and slower than adolescents or adults of hunters.

It will take about 1 month for the bird to learn to help you hunt. The service life of avian hunters often exceeds 10 years. If the bird has ceased to provide assistance in hunting, then it has served you its own.

Hunting items

As for the equipment for such birds, it is a hoodie, waybills, a belt for which a hunter holds a hunter (it has a length of 70-80 centimeters), bells (so that the bird can be found), a leather glove that will serve as protection from claws, a lure ( bait). Golden eagles need a special stand.

Hunting with birds of prey

Above all, the hunter must be aware that when a bird is molting, it is unable to assist in the hunt. Usually birds of prey molt twice a year - in summer and autumn. The best time to hunt with hunters is early spring, late autumn and winter. The best time days for hunting are considered morning or evening, before dark. Having crept up to the game, the hunters set their hunting birds into hijacking.

Hunting is also not worth it in bad weather. If the hunt is for large prey, then greyhounds are also involved. In one season, on average, a hunter with experience and a well-trained hunting bird hunts about 50 foxes, and in 1 day - up to 10 pheasants and 50 quails.

The hunt in our time

World competitions of hunters with birds of prey today are held not only for the sake of preserving the ancient traditions of hunting, but also for sports interest. Hunting with hunters has turned into a sport that is actively developing. Usually the program of such competitions includes hunting for a hare, a fox and a wolf. According to the established rules and evaluation criteria, the best hunter with his assistant is selected.

Even during the reign of kings, birds of prey wore armor. In addition to the hood worn over the eyes, the predators had a costume of the royal court, which included a bib, pegs, a hawk and a debtor. The footrests are leather rings worn on the paws. A dolzhik is a cord that was attached to the scraps at one end, and the hunter held the other end in his hand. The hoods were worn not only after the hunt so that the bird could rest, but also on the way to the hunting ground. This was done so that the bird, seeing its potential victims, would not throw itself off the arm and thereby stretch its tendons.

The Steppe journalist attended the final day of the republican tournament of hunting with birds of prey "Kyran-2018"and explains why the promised beautiful show evokes mixed feelings.

From 8 to 10 February golden eagles and hawks circled in the sky over Almaty. These are berkutchi and sayatshi from 10 regions of Kazakhstan competed in the skill of hunting with birds of prey. For three days, the Almaty hippodrome became a hunting field. The last time the falconers tournament was held here was in 1990.

Even on the outskirts of the competition site, the following picture unfolded: in front of the entrance to the stands there is an ambulance car, inside which a strong man in national Kazakh clothes sits. The medic bandages his left hand, which is “decorated” in two places with fresh bandages - the golden eagle did his best. Throwing his finished hand into a leather glove, the man hurried to the racetrack.

More than 60 hunters with hunting birds - "sayatshy" took part in the competition. Berkut catchers are traditionally called "berkutchi".

On the photo hereditary berkutchi Talembek Aisambek

Winged predators took a liking to rubber bearings, bushes and fences on the platform in front of the stands, while their owners waited for the start of the competition.

The organizers of the tournament, the Kyran Federation and the Department of Physical Culture and Sports of Almaty, invited participants from Almaty, Zhambyl, Karaganda, Akmola, Atyrau, Kyzylorda, East Kazakhstan regions and Astana. For the first time, the tournament covered 10 regions of Kazakhstan. The partner of the event was the public foundation “Heritage of the nomadic civilization”.

A participant from the Akmola region Tastanbek Bergenbai has been training with birds of prey since the age of 7. Now he is 28, and he regularly performs with his golden eagle named "Anrakai".

“For competitions, female golden eagles are more suitable: they are more powerful and more aggressive than males,” says Tastanbek Bergenbai. - First, the bird is taught to respond to the voice of the berkutchi: one person holds the golden eagle on his hand, and the owner moves away to a certain distance and calls him. The bird begins to fly on command after two months of training. Then the golden eagle is taught to catch a dummy. The rider rides a horse and pulls the fox skin on the rope. The bird must grab it on the fly. If the golden eagle catches the dummy confidently, you can go hunting with it. "

Mandatory attribute of every berkutchi - biyalay- a glove made of thick leather that protects the hand from the sharp claws of a predator. Each of them has its own name. For example, the most powerful claw is called gembasar. The golden eagle grabs the victim with it. With the second largest claw, the predator squeezes, the third clings and the last, helps to hold the prey from the back side.

On the first day of the tournament, the judges evaluated how the participants interact with the birds of prey. On command, the golden eagle was supposed to fly to the owner and sit on his arm while he rode on horseback. Participants with hawks and falcons performed together in a separate category. Sayatshi stood motionless and called their birds from a distance. At the second stage, golden eagles chased hares, and hawks and falcons caught pigeons.

The Kyran 2018 tournament was the first competition for Arai Serikbayeva, a 20-year-old journalist who decided to master the art of hunting with a hawk. According to the participant, her grandfather was engaged in the training of golden eagles in his youth. The girl was preparing for the competition for two weeks.

“Before, hunting birds were kept by difficult people. At first they were tamed to survive. Later, it was mainly rich people who could keep winged predators: it is not easy to find meat for birds every day, says Arai. - The hawk was given to me by my mentor, the bird lives in his nursery. Before the competition, we went out of town with a hawk, let a pigeon go, like in a tournament. The bird of prey distinguishes the host's voice waves. Hearing a sharp command sound, she listens and also reacts to affectionate words. I was the first to perform, my hawk was a little confused, but we succeeded. "

Golden eagles live for about 30 years, an aged berkutchi bird can be set free. Previously, hunters took golden eagles directly from their nests in the mountains, now this is prohibited. Legally, winged predators are acquired in nurseries. Each bird is assigned a registration number and assigned to the owner's passport.

According to the bronze medalist of the tournament Gabit Tonat, a good golden eagle costs about a thousand dollars.

“The hardest thing was to catch a hare. Him good overview, and he jumps to the side when a golden eagle flies up to him, - says the finalist. - For the competition, the bird needs to be prepared like an athlete. Every day feed her with rabbit, fox meat. And the fox is hard to find in the city. The falcon is simpler, it feeds on wild pigeons. It is expensive to keep birds, it takes me about 100 thousand tenge per month ».

On the last day of the tournament, golden eagles were catching foxes. Only seven participants made it to the final. Each berkutchi climbed the tower, at the signal removed the cap from the bird's head and released it into the field, where the fox was already running.

The foxes were kept in cages, and those who released them did not want the animals to be photographed. When shooting at close range, the conditions of the animals are immediately noticeable. In one of the two cages, together with a living fox, lay the corpse of its slain relative. The foxes, which were carried to the field and released at the signal, were also not on ceremony.

A lump comes to your throat when you see an animal trembling, either from fear, or from the cold, which is being held by the scruff of the neck. The beast released from the tower was in full view. Having overtaken the victim, the golden eagle could not kill her, but seriously injure her. In this case, the fox did not die immediately.

The nature of predators is to kill for food, but even in wildlife their victims have a chance to escape, to fight for their lives. The final of the tournament was more like a show, in which the smartest golden eagle won. It is not clear what the judges were evaluating in this case. The bird's predatory instinct and its reaction to a moving object? The last fox was caught out of competition, she managed to escape from the golden eagle. True, the boundaries of her freedom were determined by the fence of the racetrack.

Hunting with birds of prey is an ancient Kazakh tradition and an integral part of the cultural heritage of Kazakhstan. In 2016, falconry was included in the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Together with Kazakhstan, this nomination was awarded to other countries, where they also hunt with winged predators since ancient times.

In the same year, Sony Pictures shot the documentary The Eagle Huntress about the berkutchi girl Aisholpan Nurgayipkyzy, an ethnic Kazakh woman living in Mongolia. As Zakon.kz wrote about this, the director of the tape admits that at the time of staging the film based on the life of Aisholpan, he tried to reduce some scenes to a minimum, for example, scenes of the sacrifice of rams or the killing of foxes. Such fragments, according to Otto Bell, can shock people who are not familiar with such traditions, the director explains.

The tournament was held within the framework of the program for the modernization of public consciousness "Rukhani zhagyru". The winner was 13-year-old berkutchi Beksultan Seitzhan from Almaty region. In addition to the diploma, he was awarded 200 thousand tenge. The winners of the second and third places received cash prizes in the amount of 150 and 100 thousand tenge. The organizers of Kyran 2018 note that the main goal of this event is to revive the tradition of holding national tournaments in Almaty, including the falconer competition, and, starting this year, to hold it traditionally every year.

By the way, in the article of the head of state "Looking into the future: modernization of public consciousness" there is such a wording: "but modernization also means that a number of archaic habits and preferences that do not fit into the global world must be left in the past."

Since ancient times, the Kazakh people led a nomadic lifestyle, mainly engaged in hunting. Harsh conditions and difficult life taught Kazakhs to live in harmony with nature, respect its beauty and treat animals and birds well. They were especially careful with their faithful companions - a greyhound, a golden eagle and a frisky horse. Therefore, traditional Kazakh hunting has its own traditions and rituals.

Berkutchi are experienced catchers

They usually went hunting with hunting birds - sayat, and also with greyhounds - tazy. The people especially revered the experienced catchers and educators of hunting birds - the berkutchi. There are many legends to this day about the most famous hunters and their pets.

So the golden eagle "Sarykus" (Red bird) from the hunter Tiney "went" to foxes, marals, wolves and even deer. And the hunter Zhalair Shora was well versed in birds, immediately determining the age and type of a hunting bird just by looking at it.

Berkutchi usually went hunting one by one or whole group... The job of a hunter is very difficult, because you had to outwit the beast, using all your knowledge, experience, perseverance and courage. The hunt was also attended by beaters (greyhound owners), shooters, assistants and even singers, musicians and storytellers of the folk epic.

Golden eagles

Hunters tamed a wide variety of birds for hunting, but only the golden eagle or the steppe eagle was considered the strongest, dexterous and intelligent. Kazakh hunters do not call him “the bird god” for nothing. The preference was given to the eagles living in the highlands, because they are larger, hardier and stronger. Only appearance birds inspire respect - this is a proud posture, straight shoulders, sharp-sighted and discerning eyes.

But catching such a bird is not so easy, let alone taming it. Taming and training wild golden eagles is a very dangerous and difficult task that requires courage, endurance and great patience. But the results will certainly justify themselves, since a trained golden eagle will catch up with any living creature, easily outwit a wolf and even a fox.

Kazakhs- free children of the great steppe, the hunting of beasts and birds is literally in the blood of this people. But, nomadic lifestyle, taught them to live in special harmony with nature, appreciate and respect its beauty, which brought ancient occupation, its rituals and traditions.

From the earliest times the most beloved traditional hunting with birds of prey were the types of the Kazakhs' trade - sayat and baiting of prey with steppe greyhounds - basins.
In the conditions of a harsh nomadic life, the steppe people were certainly not in the mood for excesses. Apparently, that is why they treated their faithful companions so carefully - a fast horse, a brave golden eagle and a hot greyhound.

Enjoyed special respect among the people experienced catchers and hunter of birds of prey - « berkutchi". Until now, in legends and traditions, there is a rumor about famous hunters and their unsurpassed pets. So they say that the golden eagle named “ Sarykus» (« Red bird”), Which belonged to a certain Tineus from the Naiman clan, easily“ walked ”not only on foxes, but also on wolves, deer, and marals. And the famous " berkutchi» Zhalair Shora, could easily determine not only the species, but also the age of the hunting bird, barely looking up.

Experienced hunters for hunting needs tamed very different predators from the feathered family, however, the strongest, bravest and smartest was always considered golden eagle- steppe eagle which Kazakh hunters are still called " bird god". Especially valuable at all times was Eagle living in the highlands. The large and strong body of this bird is covered with thick and long feathers, a graceful neck is crowned with a dry serpentine head, the bird has powerful straight shoulders, a proud bearing and burning, deep-set eyes.

It is not at all easy to catch and then tame this cautious and vigilant predator. He is bold enough, quick-witted and strong enough to give a tangible rebuff. Taming and training of wild golden eagles- a difficult and very dangerous occupation, requiring special patience, courage and incredible endurance. But then the trained pet will more than reward its trainer: it will catch up with any steppe living creatures, it will be able to outwit the fox, and it will not be afraid to fight with the wolf.

Usually hunting « berkutchi"Came out in a group or singly. Knowing perfectly the habits of any steppe animal, its habitat and the peculiarities of its diet, the hunters foresaw in advance where the animal could hide, where to attack, how it would try to cheat, confusing the trail. Hunting demanded a lot of experience, knowledge, courage and perseverance from a person.

Kazakh nomads- real children of nature, they treated this occupation not only as the extraction of trophies. Indeed, the word “sayat” itself is voluminous and multifaceted, it invariably combines three different concepts at once: competition, hunting and recreation.

Actually, this, in fact, was “ salburyn» - collective hunting, arranged as a solemn, festive event.

Guided by experienced " berkutchi", v " salburyne" took part " mergens"- well-aimed shooters, greyhound owners - beaters, numerous volunteers, as well as musicians, singers, storytellers of folk epics and just people who want to have fun and know a lot about a good joke.

Somewhere on the bank of a mountain river, in an area rich in birds and animals, they set up a large yurt and began a noisy holiday, alternating hunting trips with merry rest, accompanied by songs, jokes and tales around the fire.

Going on a hunting trip, " berkutchi»Dressed the hunting birds in special equipment. However, upon seeing a potential prey, they pulled off the cap from the head of one of the eagles and directed it towards the fleeing victim. The rest did not interfere and waited for the moment when the time came and they too could show hunting art.

Often on " salburyne"Also organized round-ups. The beaters dispersed around the area and made an incredible noise, shouting loudly and pounding with improvised means on sonorous objects. Frightened by loud noises, the animals ran straight to " mergen" and " berkutchi».

Sometimes on the trail of the fleeing beast they let swift hounds - basins, dogs this local breed has excellent hunting characteristics, remarkable endurance and speed.

It should be noted that traditional Kazakh hunting usually carried out without guns, only with birds of prey and hunting dogs, therefore these animals have long been held in special honor among Kazakh people... They say that up to 10 camels could be bailed out for a skillful eagle, and a good tazy cost up to 50 heads of cattle - almost like a kalym for a bride.

Immediately after a successful hunting trip, all participants " salburyna"We settled down more comfortably by the fire and celebrated good luck. The dastarkhan was covered, a plentiful treat appeared, ringing songs were played, cheerful music was pouring throughout, jokes and laughter were heard, stories of experienced hunters were heard.

But, the turn instructed, and the fun subsided, it was at this very moment that heartfelt speeches were made to the glory of art " berkutchi", Praise was lavished on the swift horses, the courageous hunting dogs and proud birds of prey.

That's what real is. " salburyn"- a unique competition between man and nature, hunter skill parade, a holiday of enjoying the beauty of nature and the harmony of the world.

It is very gratifying that ancestral traditions not forgotten by the current generation, hunting passion and today it bothers the soul of real Kazakh men, forcing to revive such beautiful views fishing as " sayat" and hound hunting.

Today in Kazakhstan there is an active revival of one of the most ancient nomadic traditions: hunting with birds of prey. Berkutchi competitions have become a cultural page in the new history of Kazakhs. The symbiosis of a feathered predator and a hunter, the fight between nature and man - sayat is not just catching prey, it is a colorful action, a magical ritual, part of the ethnic group of modern koshpendilers who opened Kazakhstan to the whole world

On the sayat - to Kazakhstan

Hunting with feathered predators (sayat) has become a part of the national sport of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Numerous associations, schools and clubs created in every region of Kazakhstan revive not only the occupation, but also the method of training, keeping birds, seasonal subtleties of hunting, rituals, and costume. Hundreds of tourists from both near and far abroad strive to take part in the hunt or simply admire the skill of berkutchi, kusbegi, falconers. And although falconry is a part of the everyday culture of many other peoples of the world (and is popularized, in particular, in Mongolia, Japan, Switzerland), the Sayat in Kazakhstan is unusually beautiful and especially thanks to the unique natural landscapes characteristic only of this area.

Photo: worlds.ru

For the eagle - 6 camels

Hunting with golden eagles has been known since the Andronovo period. According to the petroglyphs of the Bronze Age, this is how our ancestors hunted in the Eurasian steppes thousands of years ago.

The history of the Kazakh Sayat dates back to the 13th century. Hunting with a hawk and a falcon was traditionally practiced in the southern regions of Kazakhstan, with a golden eagle they went to game in the central and northern regions. As a rule, during the season, which began with the formation of a snow cover (when fur-bearing animals are especially valuable), an experienced golden eagle could catch 5-6 foxes and up to 80 pheasants.

The price of a trained eagle was equal to the cost of 5-6 camels, for a falcon they gave a pair of two-humped. It is very difficult to tame and train a feathered predator, and those who could do this were highly revered among the people. Berkutchi enjoyed great respect, they were considered mediators between the spirits of nature and people and did not doubt the hunters' proficiency in the language of birds.

Photo: barelko.com

Favorite kings

Since ancient times, sayat was a favorite tsarist occupation. In the burial place of the second "Golden Man" (discovered in the Aktobe gorge), a golden eagle was found. In the mounds of Jeti-Tobe, discovered during archaeological excavations in 2012 near Taraz, burials of people were discovered, near the remains of which were the remains of hunting birds. According to Karl Baikapov (academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, head of the Kazakhstan Archaeological Society), 25 burial mounds found on the territory of one and a half kilometers are the graves of the Saka kings, who were buried along with their favorites - hunting birds.

Sayat is a public activity today. Berkutchi are trained in many sports schools in Kazkhstan, for example, in the sports school of the Asa village of the Zhambyl region. Bauyrzhan Yeshmetov, a coach with more than 25 years of hunting experience (berkutchi in the 7th generation), gives the skills to the local boys.

Photo: shutterstock

Bird dominates

The modern sayat is not a craft, but an exciting and gambling show. But what the berkutchi demonstrate is already the result, the result of painstaking and sometimes dangerous work: the domestication of a bird. Experienced hunters tell us that it is very difficult to catch and even more tame a cautious, greedy and aggressive golden eagle by nature, therefore the main weapon of a berkutchi is patience. Domestication takes place gradually. Often the hunter does not close his eyes at night, making sure that his bird sleeps. Only the owner gives the particles of raw meat to the golden eagle. And only after the golden eagle is accustomed to the berkutchi, his dog and horse, the bird is taught to hunt for an artificial fox.

Bakhyt, experienced kusbegi

“In the pair“ man-bird ”the golden eagle dominates, and the man only controls it. If the predator learns this, it will open up for training, and the success of the hunt will be guaranteed. "

In such a masculine, it would seem, kind of activity there is a place for a lady. Makpal Abrazakova from the village of Aksu-Ayulu is the only female falconer in Kazakhstan (a lawyer by education), who became a kusbegi at the age of 13.

Makpal Abrazakova and her golden eagle Akzhelke. Photo: yandex.ru

Shogel

Modern Kazakhstani berkutchis are known far beyond the borders of the country. Bakdaulet Babazhanov, Bauyrzhan Yeshmetov, Userbai Kadyrkulov, Bakhyt Karnabaev and others are multiple champions of republican tournaments and national championships.

As part of the Association of National Sports under the Ministry of Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Kazakhstan, there is the Berkutchi Federation (headed by Almat Idrisov). Today the organization has more than 70 berkutchi hunters. For more than 15 years "Berkutchi" has been a member of the International Falconry Association IAF.

In 160 km from the southern capital - Almaty - there is a berkutchi museum, which contains items and information materials on the sayats. Each bird has its own name, not only by type, but also by age: a teenage golden eagle (up to 1 year old) is a balapan, a 2-year-old bird is a cantubit, then there are tyrnek, tastulek, muzbalak, etc. The oldest is a 12-year-old golden eagle - shogel. This word is often used as a synonym for wisdom, life experience, respect for a person.

Mess and shyrga

To hunt with a feathered predator, you need special equipment: leash, couch, cap and bedspread. To hold a bird weighing 6-7 kg, a mess (special support) is put on the hand. The skin of a fox or hare stuffed with straw (shyrga) is needed for training. Dragging a shyrgu on a long rope across the steppe, kusbegi teaches the golden eagle to fall on prey. When flying out to fish, the predator is not tied, it is free. And the only guarantee of his return is trust. That is why the competition program includes not only hunting itself, but also planting the bird on the arm, "communication" between the hunter and his pet, which testifies to the indisputable unity, harmony of nature and man.

Photo: mtdata.ru

With tea and baursaks

To hunt with a golden eagle or a falcon, it is not necessary to catch, train and keep the bird. This national type of activity is available to every tourist suitable for age and physical characteristics.

Traditional falconry routes operate from May to September; their length is on average about 100 km. For example: Almaty - Kaskelen highway - Ushkonyr tract - Almaty. Each route is an acquaintance of tourists with the customs and ancient traditions of Kazakhs, communication with nature, enjoyment national cuisine, the dishes of which will be cooked on the fire. The participants of the routes are met in yurts, with tea, kumis, ayran, baursaks. Syrne, beshbarmak are obligatory on the menu. Stops are provided at sacred springs, mountain reservoirs, on observation platforms, from which magnificent views of the Trans-Ili Alatau open. Those who wish can ride horses, listen to the performance of folk songs. Such routes are very popular with Western tourists, and often places in groups are booked several months in advance.

P.S.

According to legend, a person who has planted a bird of prey on his hand acquires strength, fearlessness and wisdom. In addition to falconry and golden eagle hunting, other ethnic activities are actively developing in Kazakhstan - hunting with dogs, fishing, traditional hunting. However, the greatest interest among tourists is still in bird fishing. Many people are sure that it is possible to get to know the uniqueness of the Kazakh people and touch its ethnicity only by visiting the Sayat ...