"Good horses and sharp falcons are the wings of the Kazakh people."
The Kazakhs are descendants of Turkic, Mongol, Indian and Hun indigenous groups who inhabited the territory between Siberia and the Black Sea. They are a semi-nomadic people and have roamed the mountains and valleys of western Mongolia with their livestock since the 19th century.
The ancient art of eagle hunting is one of many traditions and skills that the Kazakh people have kept alive for centuries. They rely on their clans and flocks, believe in the cults of the sky, ancestors, fire and the supernatural forces of good and evil spirits.
Follow along with the stunning images captured by photographer Jimmy Nelson during his journey to explore Mongolia and meet the unique Kazakh people!
Located about 1,600 km from the capital Ulaanbaatar, this land still retains many pristine features.
Portrait of Kazakh "warriors"
Like the “falconers” of Central Asia, the Kazakhs use eagles for hunting.
A Kazakh in typical traditional costume
Eagle - the mascot of the vast steppe
Eagles and their owners on a trip to the top of a mountain
The eagle would accompany its owner across the vast Altai region and climb the peaks with the best views. Once at the top, the hunter would unmute the eagle and disturb the peace of the mountains.
The moment the owner removed the blindfold from the eagle, its eyes lit up sharply, quickly searching for its target.
Hunters and falcons cross the mountainous region.
The geographical features of Bayan Olgii have preserved the traditional culture of the Kazakh people for more than two thousand years.
