Key Highlights of the Ulgii Eagle Festival

1. The Golden Eagle Hunting

• Event: The primary focus of the festival is the golden eagle hunting competition. These majestic birds are trained by local hunters to catch small animals like foxes, hares, and marmots, using their keen vision and powerful talons.
• What to Expect:

2. Cultural Performances

• Traditional Music and Dance: Throughout the festival, you can experience traditional Kazakh music, including throat singing and performances using instruments like the dombra (a two-stringed instrument) and komuz (a three-stringed lute).
• Folk Dance: Local dancers perform in colorful, elaborate costumes to the rhythms of folk music.
• Kazakh Costumes: Many attendees wear traditional Kazakh clothing, including long coats and felt hats, adding to the cultural richness of the event.

3. Nomadic Lifestyle Experience

• Kazakh Culture: The eagle hunters, known as burkitshi, belong to a nomadic people known for their deep cultural ties to their land, traditions, and their birds. During the festival, you’ll have the chance to see how they live in their yurts (called gers in Mongolia) and experience their daily routines.
• Traditional Food: You can try Kazakh foods like beshbarmak (a dish made with boiled meat and noodles), kurt (dried cheese), and kumis (fermented mare’s milk). Meals are often shared around large tables, allowing you to enjoy the hospitality of the local families.

4. Spectacular Scenery

• Ulgii and Bayan-Ölgii Province: The festival takes place in the western Altai Mountains, an area known for its rugged beauty. The vast, sweeping steppes, surrounded by snow-capped peaks, create a stunning backdrop for the event. The natural beauty of the region adds an additional layer of charm to the festival, with participants often traveling through breathtaking landscapes to reach Ulgii.
• Photography Opportunities: The golden eagles against the backdrop of mountain scenery, the colorful traditional costumes, and the intimate scenes of the hunters with their birds provide ample opportunities for memorable photographs.

5. Other Competitions

• Horseback Riding: In addition to eagle hunting, there are other traditional competitions such as horseback riding races, where skilled riders compete in fast-paced races across the steppes.
• Camel Racing: In some years, camel races have also been included in the festival program, adding a touch of variety to the traditional events.
• Archery: Mongolian-style archery contests are sometimes held as part of the festival, showing off another significant skill that is deeply embedded in the culture of this region.