2nd place
silver star award
Lai Leng Lam
singapore 
title
Eagle Hunters: A Dying Tradition
These eagle hunters are nomads, living in ger camps built far away from the center of a settlement. Eagle hunting skills are traditionally passed down from father to son, a very gender-dominated practice. With the diminishing of this culture, we see a change in the centuries old tradition. At present with as shift towards gender equality, we are seeing female eagle hunters in the making.
This project documents the life of two related families, living in the Altai Mountains, brothers Asker and Huanthan. Both brothers are now training Aigerim, the 12-years old daughter of Asker, hoping she could continue the tradition.
Aigerim, the 12-years old female eagle hunter being trained as the next generation of eagle hunter, a tradition that is quickly disappearing in the modern world.
Asker, the father of Aigerim, who is passing down the eagle hunter tradition to his daughter, a tradition that is predominantly passed down from father to son.
Huanthan, Aigerim's uncle and co-trainer is passing down the fast disappearing tradition of the Kazakhs to his 12-years old niece, a naturally born excellent horse rider and eagle hunter together
Nargulan, the elder brother of little 12-years old Aigerim has no intention to become an eagle hunter as dealing with the huge bird of prey requires a connection with the bird. Nevertheless, witnessing Nargulan riding his horse, he is also another great horseman at a tender age. with his brother, Asker.
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entry description
Eagle hunting has been practiced by the Kazakhs for centuries. Golden eagles are primarily used for hunting foxes during the winter months. A good number of Kazakhs fled Kazakhstan during the communist era and settled in Bayan-Ölgii Province around the Altai Mountains, western part of Mongolia.These eagle hunters are nomads, living in ger camps built far away from the center of a settlement. Eagle hunting skills are traditionally passed down from father to son, a very gender-dominated practice. With the diminishing of this culture, we see a change in the centuries old tradition. At present with as shift towards gender equality, we are seeing female eagle hunters in the making.
This project documents the life of two related families, living in the Altai Mountains, brothers Asker and Huanthan. Both brothers are now training Aigerim, the 12-years old daughter of Asker, hoping she could continue the tradition.
Aigerim, the 12-years old female eagle hunter being trained as the next generation of eagle hunter, a tradition that is quickly disappearing in the modern world.
Asker, the father of Aigerim, who is passing down the eagle hunter tradition to his daughter, a tradition that is predominantly passed down from father to son.
Huanthan, Aigerim's uncle and co-trainer is passing down the fast disappearing tradition of the Kazakhs to his 12-years old niece, a naturally born excellent horse rider and eagle hunter together
Nargulan, the elder brother of little 12-years old Aigerim has no intention to become an eagle hunter as dealing with the huge bird of prey requires a connection with the bird. Nevertheless, witnessing Nargulan riding his horse, he is also another great horseman at a tender age. with his brother, Asker.
back to gallery
