"Long before borders were drawn... before the reign of Genghis Khan... nomadic tribes have roamed the remote Altai Mountains of Asia." "For over a thousand years, these tough nomads... have used golden eagles to hunt for the food and fur they need... to survive the incredibly harsh winters." "And for countless generations, this precious skill... has typically been handed down from father to son." "But this relationship between man and bird is finite." "Custom dictates that after seven years of loyal service... an eagle must be returned to the wild... to continue the circle of life." "God is great." "You are an innocent lamb, but this eagle deserves an offering." "My dear eagle." "The time has come for you... to fly up to the sky and be free." "We have been together for a long time." "And you have only brought good things to me." "It is not easy for me to let you go." "But I will release you, because everything has its end." "It's only right to let you go." "Fly to the sky." "The lamb is just for you." "This will be the last meal from me." "Shh." "My name is Aisholpan." "This May I turned 13" "How were your classes?" "Good." "Straight A's." "I was born in the Altai Mountains." "A child of the nomads." "I help my dad a lot." "We do everything together." " There it is." " Where?" "There it is." "Got him!" "I love my dad." "He's like a teacher to me." "My dad and my grandpa are eagle hunters." "In our family... we have been eagle hunters... for generations." "It is not a choice." "It's a calling that has to be in your blood." "When it snows... we go to the mountains with the eagles and hunt foxes." "A hunter and a catcher work together as a team." "We use the skin for fur hats... and warm clothes." "We compete at festivals." "I have become a champion two times." "Got into the top five many times." "I was hooked." "The horses... the clothing, the equipment." "Looking at my dad and grandpa..." "I want to do the same." "Let me hold it." "Ever since she was young... -..." "Aisholpan has been fascinated by the eagles." "Hold this." "Please hold it gently." "She would watch her dad feeding them... utterly transfixed." "She definitely takes after him, not me." "Sadly, that doesn't leave much time for me and her." "But I don't resent that." "I just want my daughter to love her life." "Great." "You're a natural." "It's being forceful, pressing." "She holds the eagle with strength." "She's not afraid of it at all." "Maybe it's in her blood as well." "Because all the men in my family have been eagle hunters... my dream is to become the first eagle huntress in Mongolia." "Aisholpan's family supports her dream... of becoming an eagle huntress." "But there are more conservative voices in the eagle hunting community... who have different opinions." "No." " No." " Girls do not eagle-hunt." "Elder people disapprove of it." "Men go eagle hunting." "This is the legacy of our forefathers." "Women are weaker and more fragile." "While men go eagle hunting... women are at home preparing tea and water." "They milk cows, process milk, make kurt." "It's hard for girls to go to the mountains... and chase animals on horses." "They get cold." "Aisholpan says she wants to be an eagle hunter... to continue our tradition." "People say she should not be doing this." "So I worry for her." "But I think girls and boys are equal." "Girls can do anything boys can if they try." "My father taught me..." "And I don't want to let her down." "I began teaching Aisholpan... showing her how to cover the eagle's head." "Then she learned... to pull the rabbit along." "Yeah." "After trying this... we tried calling the eagle to eat." "Where is your voice?" "Raise your arm!" "That's good!" "She learned to fly the eagle from the mountain." "Launch it this way." "Pay attention." "Again." "Release." "Again." "Okay, good." "Congratulations." "Even some men can't do that." "Are you hungry?" "Do your feet hurt?" "Are you tired?" "Are you hot?" "Are you hungry?" "I'll feed you when we get home." "We go to school by the Syr river..." ""because there is no school in our area."" "Let's play again!" "I live in the dormitory." "I've been living here since the 2nd grade." "It's been so long since we've known each other." "We've lived together for 5 years in the dorm." "I've lived here for 7 years." "We are all neighbors." "We study and work." "We are at school for only 5 days." "On Fridays we go home." "My brother and sister live with me in the dormitory." "I take care of them." "Good morning, teacher!" " How are you?" " I'm fine!" "I feel good." "I have good grades at school..." ""because I want to be a doctor someday."" "But right now, all I can think about is becoming an eagle huntress." "Is dinner ready?" "Place the spoons." "Bring the onions." "May God bless you." "How are your classes going?" "I wrestled everyone in my class... including all the boys... and won." "One boy was sitting and looking at me as if he was frozen." "Quick, feed this tough child." "Until now..." "Aisholpan has been using her father's bird to learn the basics." "But really, she dreams of earning an eagle of her own." "Since she is serious..." "I figure, let her bring up her own eagle and train it." "For a few days every year, a baby eaglet... is strong enough to survive outside the nest without its mother." "But not quite old enough to fly away." "Today, there's the rare opportunity... to seize a 3-month-old eaglet from a nearby mountain." "It is said that legendary eagle hunters... have captured their eaglets in these mountains." "May we be so lucky!" "There it is!" "Oh my God, two eaglets in one nest." "Some good-looking eaglets right there." "Do you see, my child?" "There, next to that yellow stone... there are two eaglets." "They used to say the eagles were strong enough to bring you little mountain goats." "Do you see them?" "We're going to have to climb up that side... and then descend from the top." "This is going to be tough." "We'll need to use the rope." "Do not be afraid, okay?" "It's a strong knot!" "Should I climb down here?" "Toward that outcrop over there?" "Just be careful, use your arms to steady yourself." "Yep, that's the way." "Hold on tightly." "In the name of God." "Never let go of the rope." "Don't worry." "Okay, go." " Give me some more rope, Dad." " Back, back." "Steady." "Grab onto the stone tightly." "Don't be scared." "Keep on moving down." "It's getting tough there." "Let the rope out, Dad." "Give me some slack!" "Just hold on tight." "Hold tight I said." "Yeah, yeah." "Go slowly." "No more slip-ups!" "More rope!" "That's enough." "Are you holding on tight?" "Yes." "Look!" "There they are!" "I'm getting close!" "Still more rope, Aisholpan?" "Yes, more rope." "More blue rope!" "I'm with the eaglets!" "You made it?" "I'm really there!" "A little more line." "There are two eagles nesting side by side." "Should I send down the blanket?" "Yep!" "You got it?" "Bring it over this way." " Which way?" " This way." "Let it go a little bit more." "That's it." "Try to cover the female." " Say again?" " Pull it." "What?" "The blue rope?" "Yeah." "Here you go." "Hurry up!" "The mother is coming." "Please, please, more blue rope." "Please release more rope!" " Hurry!" " Don't pull." "She fell down." "She keeps falling away from me." "Keep at it!" "Give me some slack on this other rope." "Let it out more!" "Is that enough?" "Hurry up!" "The mother is coming." "Shoo!" "Go away!" "Caught it!" "My child, is it ready to go?" "Wait a sec, let me tie this off." "All right, ready." "Should I reel it in now?" "We did it!" "Now, let's see what we've got here." "Oh, God." "Oh, God, look at this!" "You did really well." "Was it difficult to get to the nest?" "You've found yourself a really great specimen!" "All being well... we can start to train your baby eagle this autumn." "This eaglet is a sign of good luck!" "She will bring good fortune to our home." "Pop it there." "By God, a little female eaglet!" "So you took it all by yourself?" "Yup, I went and got it." "It was tough." "I've never seen a nest that was so hard to reach!" " Was it tough?" "Are you tired?" " Nope, I'm fine." "As for me, I got all sweaty." "I'm exhausted!" "I started slipping on the rocks... but I grabbed the rope and hauled myself back up." "You proved yourself today." "You were as brave as any man." "You really showed that nest who's boss!" "Thanks." "I already love this eagle." "I'm going to raise her and we are going to the eagle festival together!" "Since the Altai Mountains are high... it takes a strong bird to nest there." "It's a very beautiful bird indeed." "So it matches Aisholpan." "She is a very brave and courageous girl." "Weather forecast." "Weather will be cloudy, without precipitation." "Wind speed will be from 3 to 8 meters per second." "Air temperature will be 8 to 13 degrees Celsius." "Dear radio listeners... from October 2nd to October 3rd... the annual eagle festival is to take place." "Father?" "Let me compete in the festival this year!" "Oh, my child, it's difficult." "Please?" "Don't worry!" "Does the eagle's neck revolve?" "Its neck revolves all the way around." "Were you afraid when you first touched the eagle?" "Nope." "We would freak out like crazy!" " And you fly it from your hand?" " Yes." " And it returns?" " Yes." "Do you call, "Hey, eagle, come back here, please?"" "What do you shout when you call the eagle?" "Huukaa!" "Huukaa!" "Is it afraid of other people?" " Of course!" "It can bite like this!" " Ow!" "We too want to be eagle hunters." "But we're afraid of eagles." "My father taught me... so we went to him for advice... and to ask for his blessing." "Aisholpan's very own eaglet." "This kind of bird is called Ice Feet." "Hard bird to catch." "Aisholpan is going to be an eagle hunter." "Really?" "Yes, some people see it as wrong." "We have been hunting with eagles from our forefathers." "My father and his father... taught how to train eagles." "I have trained, teach her." "This is an important task." "Both are young." "I will train them." "Can you give your blessing to Aisholpan?" "Aisholpan!" "Hey, Aisholpan!" "Aisholpan!" "This is a hard bird to catch, my child." "Well, my child." "May God help you pursue the hunter's path." "May God keep you healthy." "May you grow old like me with yellow teeth." "May no bird escape your hands... and may no horse leave you on your journey." "God is great." "I entrust that eagle to you." "This will be a beast catching bird." "Let it get old with you." "Stay safe!" "This is not good." "This sets a precedent." "Eagle hunters will train their daughters... to ride horses... then hold a bird." "It is a shame to do so for the bird." "They do not know how to properly approach the eagle." "The eagle is very picky about people." "It demands respect and courage." "It's not like you hold an eagle and show off... and become an eagle hunter." "No way." "Anyhow, she will have to get married... at one point or another." "When it's warm, we live in gers... when cold in regular houses." "It's all we've ever known." "Nature is great here." "It is like our mother." "Good morning, dear radio listeners." "Near Ulgii, it will be cloudy with no precipitation." "Only four weeks left until the long-awaited eagle festival." "Eagle hunters are busy preparing their eagles for the event." "Okay." "My child, I will teach you how to train for the festival." "The skills Nurgaiv is teaching his daughter... strengthen the bond between Aisholpan and her bird." "As their relationship deepens, the eagle learns to listen for her call." "As they start to work as a team, the response times improve." "Our region's people are fully in preparation for this event." "We plan to present a beautiful show... for our foreign guests and tourists." "As the festival draws near, the excitement builds across the region." "This is an important opportunity for eagle hunters to honor their tradition... represent the tribe, and parade themselves in front of an eager crowd." "Aisholpan!" "Let's go." "I will show you how to call it from those rocks." "Probably the most important part of the festival." "Let's go." "Release!" "Congratulations!" "The bird did well." "My child, now you need to call the bird yourself." "I'll be up there." "Okay, raise your hand and shout!" "With calling... the judges look at... horse riding style... eagle's landing... and eagle flying style." "This process is timed and every second counts." " Get ready." " Okay." "Seeing her bird land beautifully on her arm..." "I realized that she is ready." "Don't hurry." "Eat slowly." "Ready for tomorrow?" "There will be lots of people tomorrow." "Are you ready?" "Everything will be good." "Are you full now?" "Don't be angry." "Are you full now?" "Don't be angry." "Don't make such noises." "You have an important festival tomorrow." "You might not be able to fly if you eat too much." "Do you want me to paint your nails?" "If you do not mind." "When do you leave?" "Tomorrow." "Will there be any other girls?" "No." "Just me." "Mostly older men." "Okay, my child, we have to leave soon." "It is along ride." "Come, my eagle, come, your eagle." "I'm worried for her." "This is her first festival." "You need to take better care of your hair." "Be the head of this home while I am away, okay?" "She decided on her own to be an eagle hunter." "And I believe it's a woman's right to choose." "There are so many strong eagle hunter men." "Al!" "I wish for is her safety and wellbeing" "Is this okay?" "Not too tight?" "Be careful when you ride." "Let me look." "We should have cut it shorter." "It's okay, it's girl's hair!" "In the name of God." "All the best, stay safe!" "Okay, good luck!" "Aisholpan and her father... made the long journey to the festival on horseback... carrying their 15-pound birds." "Let's let the horses drink." "They must be tired." " Are you tired?" " Nah." "God willing, we are almost there." "The provincial capital of Olgii... lies in the foothills of the Altai Mountain... a full day's ride from the family's winter home." "It's the biggest town for a hundred miles." "A visit to Olgii is a rare treat for Aisholpan." "Sometimes I worry... people might think it's strange because she does something that men usually do." "But she shows extraordinary strength... regardless of her gender." "Good morning, dear radio listeners." "The day of the eagle festival is upon us!" "We are all hugely excited." "Around 70 eagle hunters from all over the region... are currently making their way to the festival ground." "Sayak Tobi, the eagle trainer's mountain." "For decades, this unique rock formation... has provided a natural arena for the annual eagle festival." "Oh." "You see, my child." "There it is." "People are here already." "For years, proud men have brought their eagles here... to preserve tradition... and battle for the title of champion eagle hunter." "No girl has ever competed in the history of this festival." "And Aisholpan is arriving unannounced." "Peace be with you, dear festival participants." "Our people have found their fortune in the sky." "Our men have found a way to stand out... and find happiness through the centuries." "Welcome to the eagle festival." "What a beauty it is to see a bird in the sky... a fox on the land... and a fast horse." "We have an 80-year-old eagle hunter among us." "Do not be afraid, okay?" "She is a young girl." "Ha-ha-ha." "Contestants... take your places please." "People come from all over the world." "The winner must be the best... among 70 great eagle hunters." "Time to start!" "Here are the eagle hunters... who have made us known to the world." "They are the ones who have cared for eagles... passed down to us from our great ancestors." "Please give your applause... to these highly honored eagle hunters." "Peace be upon you." "Let Ongarbay come forward." "They begin with judging the hunter's outfit." "10-1 O-10-8." "They assess the horse... the clothes and equipment." "6-8-10-10." "Next is Ardak... son of a famed eagle hunter from Altai." "10-1 O-1 O-1 O." "Really nice!" "Great!" "Next, we have an eagle hunter from Altai." "Let's go." "Stand over here." "Make it fit your head." "Let me look." " Who is next you say?" " Aisholpan." "Aisholpan is that girl?" " Come here." "Come here." " Do not worry." "Please hurry up." "Hurry up." "Ready." " You are awesome." " Ha-ha-ha." "Since Aisholpan is a girl... it was important to make sure... her riding and hunting styles are flawless." "Awesome." "That was good." "Next event..." ""Calling."" "An animal skin target... attracts the eagles... and we measure their speed." "Aisholpan calls." "I release the eagle." "8-10-8-6." "When you perform for the first time... you become very nervous." "So I was worrying for her." "Next is Aisholpan." "Here we go!" "I told her to be careful with the horse." "It can get scared and run into the crowd of people." "Where is your voice?" "In the name of God." "Go fast!" "Really nice!" "Great!" "Guests, you are invited for tea and lunch." "In the name of God." "Aisholpan's bird flew very well." "Didn't it?" " This bird is very special." " Simply amazing, how well it flew." "All birds flew well." "Not everyone who has an eagle at home... is a real eagle hunter." "Women are not supposed to do it." "You can relax at home." "This is just the beginning." "This is just the beginning." "More to come." "This event tests our eagle hunters' ability... to call a bird from afar." "When the blue flag drops... release your eagles." "Speed and skill are the most important part of this event." "This is the only event... where people's eyes are genuinely full of fire." "Quickly, quickly, quickly." "Your applause please." "Who's next?" "Who's the next person?" "It won't go where it is supposed to." "We worry that our birds... ma y not land in our hands... when we call them in front of a crowd." "Hey, that eagle flew away!" "Why don't you run and get it!" "Everyone starts laughing at you." "Satibaldy has issues with his eagle." "Let the next one get ready." "Who's next?" "Come on, Aisholpan." "Let's go." " Raise your arm." " Don't worry." "Loud voice!" "Look at the flag!" "You're up after the old man." "My heart is beating fast." "A very good score!" "Really nice!" "Where's my dad?" "Is he up there?" "Yes, he's already up there." "Aisholpan!" "Whose bird is that?" "Aisholpan's." "A lady." "Women are supposed to stay indoors and quarrel for gifts after parties... while men are meant for the outdoors, and we quarrel for the catch." "I was worried of course." "I figured... it's all in God's hands." "Aisholpan, the youngest participant and the first female... in this eagle hunting festival." "Great!" "Amazing!" "Come on!" "Amazing!" "Great!" "This is awesome." "Run towards your daughter, man!" "Her bird was the only one to do it in 5 seconds!" "Aisholpan may have a record time." "Everyone saw it, both the audience and the judges." "She managed to catch the bird in her hand in only five seconds." "That requires unique talent." "Not just anyone can do that." "I'm kind of trembling." "My hands are trembling." "Funny feeling!" "Dad!" "Come here, my daughter." "Stand by me." "Her bird was fastest and actually broke the record for speed." "When I heard this, I felt so proud." "Eagle hunters, please come forward." "Listen, ladies and gentlemen." "Today's event was special... because a little girl participated in this celebration." "Please make some space." "We will now award the eagle hunters." "As the saying goes:" ""if two old ladies compete, one has to be first."" "Therefore, let me start with the third place." "Third place goes to Nurbolat Tana." "Second place, Orazkhan." "Dear people, please listen." "Our winner today is..." "Aisholpan!" "Aisholpan is our winner!" " Aisholpan!" " Aisholpan!" "Aisholpan!" "Ma)' your art prosper." "May our offspring be like her!" "Congratulations." "I was so happy." "I had tears in my eyes." "The 13-year-old girl won the contest." "But I don't believe it myself." "She won." "Of course it helps that she is a girl." "Interesting for tourists, of course." "She came in first today... but to say... that she can eagle-hunt in the mountains in winter..." "I have my doubts." "To hunt, one must travel far into the mountains." "There will be snow, storms, etc." "Yes, that is a real test." "It is tough." "She won't endure." "If she can go eagle hunting in winter... then she is a true eagle hunter." "It is proof of a sort." "Some of the hunters... refused to accept her as a real eagle hunter." "As for the jealous ones, it's okay." "Not all people are same." "I will prove that I am a real eagle huntress." "Dad, we haven't had tea since this morning." "Bring tea!" "Daddy, when will we go hunting?" "We will go hunting... in 6 or 7 days." "So we put horseshoes on the horses... and prepared for the ice and snow." "To fully test her hunting skills..." "Nurgaiv must take Aisholpan deeper into the mountains than ever before." "But first, they stop off for guidance at the home of a master eagle hunter... in a remote village close to the Mongolian border with China." "How are you?" "Please come in." "You've traveled a long distance, 150 kilometers." "But the kid is strong." "Dalaikhan and my dad have competed in all of the festivals." "He's like my uncle." "There are a lot of lessons to be learnt here." "Have you seen Aisholpan's eaglet?" "Yes, you seem to think it is ready." "We will see tomorrow." "Lots of foxes and other animals." "But the land is slippery... the winter began harshly." "Even guys can't take it as of late." "But the kid has to be alert." "Watch out for the kid." "Yes, of course." "We will always worry for our children." "Yes indeed." "I'm really surprised." "We didn't think Aisholpan could eagle-hunt." "She is doing what she saw as a child." "Are we ready now?" "Great." "In the name of God." "There is a saying in Kazakh."" ""What a baby sees in the nest, it then repeats when it grows up."" "Turn here." "Having won the gold cup at the festival..." "Aisholpan's journey now takes a more personal turn." "As she heads out into the mountains, she leaves her public victory behind." "She will now attempt the final step... on the path to full eagle hunter status." "She will have to be patient." "Finding a fox out here can take weeks." "Look at this." "The whole steppe is blanketed in snow!" "Hunters call this first big snowfall of the year "Kansonar."" "We don't take easy roads when we go out hunting." "There's little comfort in these bitterly cold conditions." "It's not unheard of for horses to slip and fall off the side of a cliff." "Stay close." "Stay sharp." "The stones... the cliffs, the snow." "It all takes a toll." "The temperature regularly plummets as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit." "Basically, we freeze." "Let's get these horses something to drink." "Your horse has quenched his thirst." "It's time to find some fox tracks." "Aisholpan and her father... will venture onto the frozen steppe by day... but will return to the village at night for shelter." "They are determined to repeat the process... until she proves herself a master eagle huntress." "Come closer." "It's slippery here." "Hold on tightly." "Check out those paw prints!" "Yes, these are fox tracks." "They're still fresh." "Let's find this fox." "Let's go." "My guess is he went to that mountain." "Look!" "More tracks!" "There it is!" "Time to move it!" "Where is it?" "Where'd it go?" "Here it is!" "It's on!" "You head that way!" "The eagle hunter finds the highest place with the best view." "The catcher tries to chase the fox... until it becomes visible to the eagle hunter." "Eagles make mistakes the first time they hunt." "Were you afraid, my dear?" "Is it hard hunting so far away from home?" "We'll all do better this time." "You shoot up that mountain over there." "The hunter and chaser work as a team." "Only if they work together can they hope to be successful." "Don't be disheartened, my child." "First those mountains." "Then this mountain." "It can easily jump from one to another." "The fox is a very sly animal." "Not in a hurry to give up its life." "But your eagle has real talent." "She just needs her moment." "Let's make for that mountain, that's the spot." "Let's move out." "We should watch our step around here." "That's some heavy snow." "Come on, let's keep going." "Turn it around!" "Turn it around!" "Secure your eagle!" "Hold on tight to your eagle!" "Just get off your horse and lead it by the bridle." "Stop right there." "Get off your horse and walk the rest of the way." "He won't budge!" "Then give him a proper yank!" "Keep going." "Follow in my footsteps." "Ride faster!" "We caught it!" "We caught it!" "Okay, my child!" "Did you see the catch?" "Yes." "Let go." "Let go." "Let go." "Thank God." "She's caught her first fox." "You released her beautifully." "Thanks." "Did the fox bite your leg?" "You did very well for your first time." "You're very brave." "Your eagle did a great job." "First you won the eagle contest." "Now you've caught your first fox." "To be sure, this is no ordinary bird." "This was a tough endeavor." "We'll tie this fox to your saddle." "You get to carry home your first catch... and Mom can make it into a warm fur coat for you." "Okay!" "Okay, my child, let's make for home." "Yes." "Do you think Mom will be happy?" "She'll be thrilled." "And very proud, I'm sure." "Grandpa will be happy, too, right?" "Of course he will be!" "How about you?" "Are you happy now?" "Yes." "I'm truly happy." 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