Author: Alan Gates
Source: Alan Gates
Owner: Alan Gates
Location: Bayan Ulgii, western Mongolia
Click link to download the file: Festival gear.jpg (512 KB)
At the Annual Eaglehunters Festival all of the Berkutchi from the surrounding areas attend the festival in their finest outfits, best tack and eagle furniture. In this photograph the berkutchi is wearing a striped fur hat made from the leg fur of the red fox. His coat is the traditional black needle cord usually lined with sheep wool. Around his waist is a leather belt decorated with the Kazakh's favourite silver emblems. Supporting his arm in a "Baldark" the Y shaped arm rest, this one is made from Ibex horn and decorated. The saddle is a show saddle and heavily decorated in silver and this theme will continue in the horses bridle. The eagle (Berkut) is wearing a hood (Tomaga) and this is decorated in silver studs. The food pouch (Zhem Kalta or Jimdorba) hanging from the berkutchi's belt is embroidered in a traditional Kazakh pattern. For more information on Mongolian Berkutchi visit www.eaglefalconer.com
The FHT aims to establish a portal for the world's falconers and other interested parties to access aspects of the sport's rich heritage by linking existing physical archives, including international private and public collections, through the medium of an electronic archive. This archive features falconry furniture, works of art, books, correspondence from leading falconers and film and photographic material for the education and interest of falconer and scholar alike. We hope that, whatever your background or interest in our sport, you may find something of value through our archive to deepen your knowledge, understanding and passion for falconry and will help us, through your support, to preserve this precious cultural heritage for future generations.
Falconry Heritage Trust
P.O.Box 19
Carmarthen,
SA33 5YL
UK
Phone: within the UK (01267) 233864
and from abroad +44 1267 233864
Fax: within the UK (01267) 233864