SHOBHA GOPINATH
Life on the Mongolian Steppe

The eagle hunters of northwestern Mongolia are nomads who move twice, sometimes thrice a year. The dismantling and erecting of the ger is an art form. It takes about two hours for them to dismantle and another two hours to set up again. It is a simple home, with living and sleeping areas sharing the space with an area for cooking. It is a way of life that is still preserved, for now at least. Their lives revolve around their livestock, training and hunting with their eagles on horseback. From dawn to dusk, they work hard in the harsh terrain and through brutal winters. With the younger generation seeking better income in the cities, the culture of eagle hunting is slowly becoming less vital and another unique culture will eventually vanish.

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