Because of the more urban lives we lead these days, we can sometimes be oblivious to a very ancient and yet simple form of holistic healing that our earlier ancestors practised. The relationship between man and animals was considered to be so vital for the health of both species, as well as that of the planet, that animal rites were a established as a traditional part of the wheel of the year.
In Mongolia, one of these rites still continues today and photographer Asher Svidensky has captured a stunning collection of images of Mongolian girls with their golden eagles.
Svidensky was focused on the story of one particular girl, 13-year-old Ashol Pan, who was asked by her father to take the place of her brother after he left for the military. Pan took up the challenge, and even though she still attends school, developing a lifelong bond with her eagle has quickly become her sole focus in life. It’s no easy task – training a young golden eagle involves blindfolding the animal for prolonged periods of time so that it develops a dependence on its handler, and can often involve sacrificing sleep in order to care for the bird of prey.
Unlike many of the young boys, who seem uneasy alongside their hunting companion, according to Svidensky, Pan is at peace with the animal by her side. This is an essential part of the pair’s bond, especially as the village relies on the eagle to hunt down foxes, wolves and rabbits, all of which provide food and pelts to survive the harsh winter months.
Golden eagles are deeply engrained in Kazakh culture, and make an appearance in many ancient proverbs, such as, “Fine horses and fierce eagles are the wings of the Kazakhs.” It’s beautiful to witness the next generation ensuring the legacy of a hunter and their eagle lives on for all to see.
Should you ever find yourself in Mongolia, an annual Golden Eagle Hunting Festival allows more than 50 eagle hunters to showcase their skills.
Many thanks to Inhabit.com for this article.
Please help us to continue supplying you with all the most up-to-date information on health and wellbeing – and also about how it is under attack. A small donation would make a huge difference to our research…Please give here.
vesicapublishing.com 