Behind all this scale and status lies the story of a single family. Marks Nazhitban once decided to carry on his ancestors' legacy, reviving the ancient art of eagle hunting and bringing it back into everyday life.
The man breeds camels, horses, and Tazy hounds. However, his greatest passion is golden eagles. He has been training them since he was 14 years old.
Hunting with birds of prey is our national heritage—a tradition that was nearly lost. However, since gaining independence, it has been actively reviving and will continue to flourish. For Kazakhs, the golden eagle holds a sacred significance. In times of famine, a single bird could provide food for an entire village. That is why we cherish it as a true treasure," says berkutchi Marks Nazhitban.
Admittedly, taming a winged predator is no easy task. A golden eagle does not adapt to a human; instead, the owner builds their entire life around the bird, shares Marks’s brother, Gorky Nazhitban.
"Not everyone can become a berkutchi; it is incredibly difficult. Just imagine what it takes to teach a bird that once soared in the heavens to listen to a human and return to their hand. But we, too, become deeply attached to them. My eagle’s name is Akkanat, and to me, he is like a grandson," says berkutchi Gorky Nazhitban.
Over time, this became a true family mission. Marks Nazhitban's daughter, Aizere, is now following in her father's footsteps. At just 16 years old, she has already spent half her life — eight years — training birds of prey and competing alongside them. Her latest companion is a golden eagle named Akseleu
An eagle is like a child. They can get offended or show their temper; every bird has its own personality. I have only just begun training Akseleu for hunting, so we haven’t competed together yet. We will only be able to see what he’s truly capable of next winter," says Aizere Markskyzy
Training such a bird requires maximum effort. With a specialized diet, rigorous training, and trial hunts, there is a long and demanding road ahead.
"My son, my daughter, and my husband are all berkutchi. Naturally, it is a very demanding calling. They head out for hunts or training sessions regardless of the weather because the birds must be taught. That’s why I do my best to prepare them for every trip—making sure they are dressed warmly and have enough food for the road," says Shakerman Oshan, a local resident.
For every competition, she also sews traditional national costumes. Together, as a family, they are developing the art of eagle hunting in the region. It is largely thanks to their initiative that Bozanbai has gained worldwide fame. While the first 'Shygys Salburyndy' drew only 13 participants, it now gathers hundreds of berkutchi and nearly 10,000 guests from across the globe.
Source: TENGRINEWS.KZ
Translated by: VisitEastKZ