Eagle Hunting Festival in Mongolia

 (October 1-2, 2011)
For last few years Bayan -Olgii Kazakhs held in early October the Eagle Hunting Festival, a colorful and picturesque event attracting the best hunters and birds, and an important celebration for the local community.

The festival begins with each hunter displaying the hunting outfits and elaborate, beautifully adorned accessories. Later, the hunting eagles are evaluated for their skills. The eagles are released from a rock cliff, while their owners stand below and signal for them to land upon their arms, as they do during hunting. Those with the fastest times and best technique are awarded the highest scores.

In addition to the eagle hunting contests, the participants play such traditional Kazakh games known as kekbar. Two teams compete to pass a goat skin over to their side of the field and the winner throws the skin onto the gher of his choice and this family is expected to host a party for everyone.
The events ends in grand dostarkhan, or a party at which the winners are toasted and great hunting tales are shared.
This event represents the very essence of the culture of nomadic Kazakhs and if you like to have once-in-life experience.