To a typical western viewer, life on the Mongolian steppes is about as foreign as one could get. Training eagles to hunt, herding yaks and camels, and packing up your home into a saddlebag isn’t on a city-dweller’s itinerary. However, the nomadic culture of Mongolia is still very much alive, its people flourishing in the rugged grasslands of central Asia and preserving their traditions even as much of the world has moved away from a nomadic lifestyle. This video captures both the exhilaration and quiet intimacy of a group of families as they go about their daily lives. Though much of their day is spent on horseback, there is always time for rest, relaxation, and familial bonding– something everyone can relate to, nomadic or not.
Horse grazing in a field in Kyrgyzstan. Frantisek Duris. Unsplash.
Kyrgyzstan: Central Asia’s Country Cradled in the Mountains of Heaven
Nestled in the heart of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous country populated by one of the last nomadic ethnic groups in the world. What stuns most people upon arrival to Kyrgyzstan is how vast and untouched the country is. The ground is often still frozen, contrasting with the vibrant sun as it rises against the enormous mountains.
Bird soaring over a frozen road in Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan. Laurentiu Morariu. Unsplash.
Often called the “Switzerland of Central Asia,” Kyrgyzstan’s landscape is made up of expansive valleys and cold peaks. The country sits at the core of the Tian Shan mountain range, also known as the “Mountains of Heaven.” The majority of the country is composed of mountains and their valleys, while the high alpine plateau of the central and eastern regions makes up the rest. The smallest portion of terrain, the country’s lowland areas, is the most populated. Kyrgyzstan’s terrain is visually stunning in its pastoral expanse and rugged mountains.
The People
Men in traditional salburun hats at the Osh bazaar. Uiking. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
The Kyrgyz people speak a language of the same name and traditionally followed a mostly nomadic lifestyle. The Kyrgyz have lived through very tumultuous times, facing a long history of Russian colonization which led to an attempted revolt in 1916. They continued to fight for their freedom until the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991, but only gained independence after several hundred were killed in an interethnic clash between Uzbeks and Kyrgyz around the southern town of Osh. Adding to the country’s diversity is a significant number of Eastern Europeans who were brought to Kyrgyzstan by the Soviets in an attempt to industrialize the region.
A statue of Vladmir Lenin in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Richard Towell. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Today, some small cities remain, like the capital Bishkek, but many Kyrgyz still live traditionally.
A traditional yurt and horse near Song Kol Lake. Oziel Gomez. Unsplash.
After surviving Soviet occupation for so long, a resurgence in the nomadic culture and traditions of the Kyrgyz occurred. The mountains and their valleys are painted in Kyrgyz culture, as the valleys are peppered with yurts decorated inside with hand-stitched felt carpets called shyrdaks.
One of the most stunning things about Kyrgyzstan is its horses that gallop freely across the plains. Horses are an incredibly important element of traditional Kyrgyz life, as they are essential for travel, hunting and recreation. An even more essential player in the hunting game is the golden eagle. The Kyrgyz are some of the only people in the world to hunt with golden eagles in a style called salburun. They ride horses while practicing archery, assisted by the golden eagles and a taigan, a type of dog that dates back to the beginning of the Kyrgyz people. This tradition was also stifled during Soviet times but has been rekindled by the Salburun Federation and its founder Almaz Akunov, who prepare other hunters and share the tradition during local festivals and demonstrations.
Travel
To visit you must embrace the unknown, as many travel plans must be made upon arrival. Trips can be arranged through the country’s various community-based tourism centers which assist visitors in getting information and arranging transportation. From here, visitors are free to trek the plains, hike, horseback ride and meet the Kyrgyz people.
Kyrgyzstan is an entirely immersive experience as it retains so much local culture and allows nature to thrive. Despite the hardships the country has faced, it has become a safe haven for its citizens to continue their traditions and share them with others.
Renee Richardson
is currently an English student at The University of Georgia. She lives in Ellijay, Georgia, a small mountain town in the middle of Appalachia. A passionate writer, she is inspired often by her hikes along the Appalachian trail and her efforts to fight for equality across all spectrums. She hopes to further her passion as a writer into a flourishing career that positively impacts others.
Nomads of Mongolia
Life in Western Mongolia is an adventure. Training eagles to hunt, herding yaks, and racing camels are just a few of the daily activities of the nomadic Kazakh people. Brandon Li spent a few weeks living with them and experiencing one of the most unique cultures in the world.