Unveiling the Extraordinary Feats of the Mongolian Eagle Huntress: Aishol-pan

In the heart of the rugged Mongolian landscapes, a remarkable tradition has stood the test of time, captivating the world with its unparalleled essence – the art of eagle hunting. The Mongolian eagle hunters embodies a spirit of strength, harmony with nature, and an unbreakable bond between human and raptor.

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The Beginning of the Mongolian Eagle Huntress

N. Aisholpan’s father bears the name Nurgaev, representing a lineage deeply rooted in the art of eagle hunting, stretching back seven generations. Revering the eagle’s indomitable spirit, the father did not allow it at first when his daughter told him that she would like to hunt with an eagle as a continuation of her ancestors who have hunted with eagles for seven generations.

The strict adherence to tradition and religion among the Kazakh people made the idea of a girl mastering eagle hunting met with resistance. This notion deviated from generations of tradition. Nevertheless, as her brother embarked on his military journey and N. Aisholpan emerged as a steadfast partner by her father’s side, his heart gradually softened. Ultimately, he sanctioned her to be recognized as an “Eagle Huntress.”‘

But now N. Aysholpan has become the pride of the Kazakh people. When she said, “After me, 15 girls are very happy to become eagles,” her eyes sparkled and she did not hide her pride.

It is said that Israeli photographer Asher Svidensky first saw N. Aisholpan during her participation in the Eagle Festival. A brave 10-year-old girl, who carried a 7-8 kg eagle on one hand and stood idly on a horse, participated in the Golden Eagle Festival together with many men, alone, but achieved higher results than the men, making a special impression on foreign photographers.

Asher extended an offer to visit her residence and capture an image, marking the genesis of what we now recognize as “Eagle Girl N. Aisholpan,” the very photo that catalyzed the narrative. This captivating photograph, in turn, paved the way for the creation of the film “The Eagle Huntress.”

The Eagle Huntress movie

“The Eagle Huntress” is a documentary film released in 2016, crafted through international collaboration. Directed by Otto Bell and featuring narration from executive producer Daisy Ridley, the film is presented in the Kazakh language. At initial glance, “The Eagle Huntress” appears to align with the archetype of ethnographic documentaries that Robert Flaherty pioneered a century ago, effectively commencing the rich history of documentary filmmaking.

However, that assumption would be inaccurate. The film offers a fresh and contemporary perspective that captivates the audience. Aisholpan emerges as an endearing character, transforming the movie into a journey akin to that of a heroine. In a landscape dominated by men, her unwavering determination garners the full support of her father and grandfather. Accomplishing each milestone, she fearlessly bears on her small, cushioned forearm a formidable predator, a creature even weightier than a Thanksgiving turkey.

“The Eagle Huntress” garnered significant attention, being shortlisted for an Academy Award in the category of Best Documentary Feature. Despite this achievement, it didn’t secure a final nomination for the award. However, it did receive a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Documentary.

Nowadays

As her popularity spread worldwide, she began receiving numerous international and national university scholarship offers. Notably, prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, the University of London, Astana University, and prominent local universities extended invitations for her to pursue studies. Despite her fondness for acting, her unwavering aspiration is to become a doctor. Her ultimate dream is to enroll in Harvard University.

N. Aysholpan, who became famous not only in Mongolia but also in the world under the name Eagle Huntress, has a land in her Bayan-Olgii province that is intended for use in the field of tourism. For the Bayan-Olgii province, a 7-8 km long area near the Hovd River was chosen for the construction of the western transport and logistics center, and the private tourism area of Bürgadchin Hoyin is adjacent to this area.

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This courageous Kazakh girl, who has garnered the attention of both domestic and international tourists through her documentary film, is now making an official foray into the tourism industry. Her endeavors are proving to be of tremendous benefit to her homeland, as she actively contributes to the growth and development of her country’s tourism sector.