EN Contact us
Member
  1. World Nomads
  2. Create
  3. Scholarships
  4. Photography
  5. 2017
  6. Applications
  7. Last Of The Hunters

Last of the Hunters

by Mike Chen (United States of America)

Mongolia

Shares
Living high in the Altai Mountains of Western Mongolia, 65 year old Sailau is among the last eagle hunters in the world. Like his father and grandfather before him, he hopes to pass down and continue this ancient tradition.
Living high in the Altai Mountains of Western Mongolia, 65 year old Sailau is among the last eagle hunters in the world. Like his father and grandfather before him, he hopes to pass down and continue this ancient tradition.
Sailau sits on the side watching and carving a new handle for his son Esen who works using the handle-less saw. Currently living in a yurt with his young wife and children, Esen is building a house of wood and mud just like his father did.
Sailau sits on the side watching and carving a new handle for his son Esen who works using the handle-less saw. Currently living in a yurt with his young wife and children, Esen is building a house of wood and mud just like his father did.
A fox makes a run for it as Esen unleashes his golden eagle - taking flight in pursuit. Among him and his brothers, Esen is the only one who has taken enough interest to train his own eagles and go on week-long hunting trips.
A fox makes a run for it as Esen unleashes his golden eagle - taking flight in pursuit. Among him and his brothers, Esen is the only one who has taken enough interest to train his own eagles and go on week-long hunting trips.
As the sun sets for Sailau, he helps to herd the livestock back in. Unlike the past when his ancestors depended on eagle hunting to survive long winters, modern cities and technology have rendered the tradition redundant.
As the sun sets for Sailau, he helps to herd the livestock back in. Unlike the past when his ancestors depended on eagle hunting to survive long winters, modern cities and technology have rendered the tradition redundant.
Esen’s son, 5 year old Erkinbek poses in his traditional hunting furs - eager to begin eagle hunting training with his father and grandfather. As the future generation, Sailau is relying on his grandson to carry on this ancient 4000 year old tradition.
Esen’s son, 5 year old Erkinbek poses in his traditional hunting furs - eager to begin eagle hunting training with his father and grandfather. As the future generation, Sailau is relying on his grandson to carry on this ancient 4000 year old tradition.

View other applications

View all